Rival Turf

By STEVE GALLUZZO | Sports Editor

It was all about revenge for the Palisades High varsity football Friday night at Venice. Returning players remembered last season’s 60-14 drubbing at the hands of the Gondoliers and were motivated to return the favor. It was not a blowout, but the Dolphins took the lead early and never relinquished it in a 28-24 victory that vaulted them into sole possession of first place in the Western League. They can clinch the outright title by beating last-place University at home Friday (varsity kickoff at 7:30 p.m.) on Senior Night.

Despite having to punt on its first drive and falling behind 7-0 when all-purpose back Amir Smith ran 26 yards on a bootleg early in the first quarter.

Palisades answered by scoring 21 straight points on touchdown throws from Roman La Scala to Braydon Sanford, LeHenry Solomon and Teralle Watson.

London Webster made a 46-yard field goal to pull Venice within 11 and Smith’s fingertip catch in the corner of the end zone with three seconds left in the first half cut the Dolphins’ lead to 21-17.

Venice went three-and-out to begin the third quarter and Palisades got the ball past midfield. It took five plays before La Scala tallied what proved to be the decisive touchdown on a six-yard keeper. Smith got the Gondos back within four with a 60-yard run up the middle to cap their next drive and neither team scored again.

Watson took a handoff, got hit behind the line and fought for two crucial yards on fourth-and-one at the Venice 46 with 2:18 left in the fourth quarter that enabled Palisades to run out the clock.

“I needed one yard and if I got it the game would be over since they didn’t have any timeouts left,” he said. “Our line was opening holes for me all night so I was confident we’d get the first down. I kept my legs driving until I saw I was past the marker.”

The Dolphins (7-2, 4-0) not only strengthened their case to make the Open Division playoffs as one of the top eight teams in the City Section, they beat their fiercest rival for the fifth time in eight years and first time under rookie coach Dylen Smith. Venice leads 30-26-1 in a rivalry beginning the year Pali High opened in 1961.

“It was really important to win this for the seniors,” said Watson, who paced the team in rushing for the seventh time in nine games. “I know how terrible they felt after the game last year.”

Palisades has won its four league games by an average of 21 points. Smith and Angelo Gasca, now in his 24th season as head coach at his alma mater, showed mutual respect after a tense battle that had its share of ebbs and flows.

“Great job tonight by the O-line, that was a big factor,” Smith said. “Great effort by the defense getting stops when we needed them. Now let’s enjoy this win and come back Monday ready to work.”

Defensive end Evan Nehrenberg had 11 tackles and two sacks and safety Matt Spoonamore had a key interception for Palisades. Smith rushed for 101 yards in 12 carries, completed a 75 yard pass, caught a seven-yard touchdown pass and intercepted a pass on defense for Venice (4-5, 3-1).

Palisades and Venice have combined to claim the last five league titles.