The Palisades High School football team scored a dramatic, come-from-behind victory over Hamilton on Friday afternoon, Oct. 14, 30-23, to remain unbeaten in early Western League action. The Dolphins traveled to Hamilton with a five-game winning streak (after a seasonopening loss to Sierra Canyon), but somehow trailed the Yankees, 23-0, at halftime.
Hamilton scored on a 65-yard pass play in the first quarter, then dominated play in the second quarter with two touchdowns and a field goal. The Dolphins finally came alive with three minutes left in the third quarter when tailback Innocent Okoh ran 12 yards for the first of his three TDs, and Jake Taitelman kicked the extra point.
Senior quarterback Jonah Manheim (who started the season at tight end before replacing the injured Gabe Galef in game one) completed a 20-yard pass to tight end Quinn Perry for Pali’s second touchdown. Okoh scored a two-point conversion and Hamilton led, 23-15.
With only five minutes remaining to play, the Dolphins tied the game when Okah scored a touchdown—and another two-point conversion. When the Dolphins got the ball back, they drove downfield and Okoh ran five yards for the winning touchdown with just a minute to play. He finished the game with an impressive 201 yards on 27 carries. Two-way player Cameron Bailey caught one pass for 43 yards and inspired the Pali defense with two interceptions.
On Oct. 7, Palisades opened league play by trouncing University, 35-14, as Okoh ran for three TDs and scored once on a pass.
photo: James Riley
The Dolphins and Venice are tied for first with 2-0 records, after the Gondoliers edged Westchester (27-26) and Fairfax thumped University (43-14) on Oct. 14. Palisades will host Fairfax at 7 p.m. this Friday, Oct. 21, at Stadium by the Sea.
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