Hart Stymies Palmdale’s Last-Ditch Effort, 14-13

Hart High used a balanced attack and some timely defense to hold off Palmdale, 14-13, in a nonleague football game Friday night at Palmdale.

Safety Tucker Setterberg secured the victory by intercepting a pass by Palmdale quarterback Joe Pica at the Hart 19-yard line with 1:37 to play.

Palmdale also squandered an opportunity to take the lead with 3:12 to play when Aaron Cottrell missed a 30-yard field-goal attempt.

“My legs are still a little wobbly about that close call,” Hart Coach Mike Herrington said.

Palmdale’s second-half rally from a 14-0 deficit was enough to to leave any Hart fan weak-kneed.

The Falcons (0-3) drove 62 yards in six plays, capped by Pica’s 15-yard touchdown pass to Jeff Del Salto, to pull within 14-7 with 2:37 remaining in the third quarter. LaShante Parker, who led all rushers with 155 yards in 19 carries, sparked the drive with a 29-yard run to the Hart 40.

After Hart was forced to punt, Palmdale scored on its next play from scrimmage when Parker bolted 56 yards for a touchdown. Cottrell’s point-after attempt to tie the score failed.

Herrington was expecting as much from Parker. “We knew he was going to break one,” he said of Parker. “He’s going to be awesome in the Golden League.”

Hart took a 6-0 lead in the first quarter on a 22-yard pass from Rob Westervelt to John DePaco. The conversion run failed.

The Indian lead grew to 14-0 in the third quarter when Howard Blackwell capped a seven-play, 40-yard drive with a six-yard touchdown run. Scott Renfro ran in the conversion for a 14-0 advantage.

Cottrell missed a 41-yard field-goal attempt as time expired in the first half.

Westervelt completed seven of 18 for 109 yards and a touchdown. “I didn’t think I played too well,” Westervelt said. “We’re getting our act together. It’s a slow process.”

Hart was penalized nine times for 71 yards.

Pica completed seven of 19 passes for 75 yards and a touchdown.