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Sports

Pali High Football Hosts Crespi Friday Night

The shorthanded Dolphins are taking on one of the top teams in the state.

Originally posted at 6:27 pm. Sept. 23, 2011. Edited to correct spelling of a name.

Welcome to the Big Time.

The varsity football team will take a huge step up in competition Friday night when it faces Encino Crespi at Stadium by the Sea. And as if playing one of Southern California’s elite programs isn’t daunting enough, the Dolphins must do so without their starting quarterback.

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Senior Nathan Dodson hurt his shoulder on the first series last week against Santa Monica but played the entire game. He showed up to practice Monday with his arm in a sling and Dolphins head coach Perry Jones confirmed Dodson will not play against the Celts. Nor will senior offensive tackle Brian Berookhim, who took a blow to the knee and could be out for much longer. Running back Justin Sinclair still hasn’t fully recovered from an ankle sprain suffered in the first half against Samo and he will also miss the game along with wide receiver Ben Ingram, who aggravated a strained quadricep in Palisades’ first game against El Camino Real.

“We weren’t sure if it was a partial tear in his shoulder or if he’d just bruised the joint, but Nate is a tough kid,” Jones said of Dodson. “He’s come a long way the last few days but we’re not going to risk it. The most important part of the season is league because that’s what will determine if we make the playoffs.”

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Kevin Acosta will be the signal-caller in place of Dobson, but Adrian Romero may also get some snaps under center. Jones said the quality of opponent has motivated his team to pay extra attention throughout the week.

“I reminded them of the very big conversation that they’re in,” Jones said. “If we’re going to play in Division I, if we’re going to get to the level we want to be at and play with teams like this then we need to grow up fast. Yes, it’s a big challenge, but it’s also a great opportunity and that’s how we have to look at it.”

Senior Mylz Blake, who ran well in place of Sinclair in the second half last week and scored the Dolphins’ final touchdown, is ready to carry the ball as many times as needed.

“I might get it a lot more and if I do I’ll run as hard as I can,” Blake said. “Our offense is geared towards the run so there’s a good chance that happens.”

Crespi (3-0) is ranked seventh in this week’s CIF Southern Section Pac-5 Division poll and throttled Clovis West of Fresno 42-28 last week. The Celts are led by quarterback Cody Cordell, who threw for five touchdowns last week, wide receiver Chris Harper and multi-purpose back Mike Davison.

“My concern with Davis is that he’s so small and quick that he’s hard to tackle, his feet are always moving” Jones said. “You just have to keep him in front of you because he can put three or four moves on you and break one. Big plays hurt us last week and Crespi is capable of big plays.”

Establishing their running game will be critical for the Dolphins (0-2). Even if their drives don’t end in touchdowns, controlling the clock will keep the Celts’ high-powered offense off the field.

“I’m not sure how familiar they are with the triple option or how they’ll defend us,” Jones said. “That really comes down to our interior guys being able to make the right reads and get them blocked.”

The frosh/soph game is at 4 p.m., followed by the varsity at 7.

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