Palmdale Doesn’t Wear Tie

The mud on their uniforms was evidence that Palmdale High’s players had walked right into a man-made disaster.

The 21-13 final score showed they barely side-stepped another.

The Falcons (8-2, 5-0 in league play) beat Highland to clinch their first outright league title since 1961, and it was accomplished on a field that endured two hours of watering by sprinklers earlier Friday.

“It was kind of hard to get moving in all the mud,” said Palmdale Coach Jeff Williams, whose team tied with Antelope Valley and Highland for the 1996 title.

Jason Anderson, who had gained 684 yards in three previous league games, gained 158 in 20 carries for the Falcons. He scored on runs of 30 and 59 yards.

Billy Niemeyer added a 27-yard touchdown reception from Johnathan Thompson.

It almost wasn’t enough against a Highland team that began the season rated among the best in the region.

With an opportunity to tie the game, the Bulldogs (5-5, 2-3) failed to score on two late possessions.

“This just lets us know how mortal we are,” said Palmdale defensive end Matt Leonard.

Highland knows all about mortality. Picked in the preseason to win the Golden League, the Bulldogs instead finished fourth and must hope they are selected as the at-large entry for next week’s Southern Section Division II playoffs.

Their argument for postseason inclusion would have been considerably stronger had they finished off a fourth-quarter rally.

Highland’s Camy Smith connected with receiver Brian Floyd for a 77-yard touchdown midway through the final period, cutting the margin to 21-13.

Palmdale’s Shaun Perez fumbled away the ensuing kickoff at his 24, but the Bulldogs could get no closer than the 16.

Smith, who completed 15 of 35 passes for 223 yards, nearly hit David Illingworth with the tying touchdown, but he was unable to hold on in the end zone.

It was the second Bulldog drop in the end zone. Floyd mishandled a touchdown from Smith in the first half.

Illingworth had six catches for 63 yards.

Highland’s special teams play was a serious factor in the first half.

Highland, which lost one long snapper to academic ineligibility during the week and another to suspension Friday, struggled on the wet field.

Bad snaps cost the Bulldogs an extra point, a sack in a shotgun situation and a loss when the punter was tackled before he could kick.