Young Lancaster Pastes Loss on Palmdale, 24-7

The decals that were supposed to go on Lancaster High’s football helmets arrived this week, about six weeks late.

Just about everything else at the Golden League’s newest school appears to be well ahead of schedule.

In only their second varsity season, and first with a senior class, the Eagles are establishing themselves as legitimate contenders in one of the region’s toughest leagues.

Lancaster beat two-time defending champion Palmdale, 24-7, Friday night in a league opener.

“This was very sweet,” said Eagle Coach Ray DeShane.

Quarterback Jason Jacobs rushed for 138 yards in nine carries and broke open a 10-7 game with an 83-yard touchdown run early in the fourth quarter for a 17-7 lead.

His 13-yard touchdown run in the second quarter gave Lancaster (5-1) a 10-0 lead.

Palmdale (3-3), which entered with the league’s top offense, was limited to only 31 rushing yards.

“They wanted it real bad,” said Palmdale quarterback Johnathan Thompson, who was sacked seven times for 38 yards in losses. Reserve quarterback Terry Furlow was sacked twice.

Linebacker Donald Forshee had four of the sacks and defensive back Dominic Flax had three.

Danny Pagnella gained 49 yards in 13 carries and scored Lancaster’s final touchdown, a one-yard run with 6:31 left.

Lancaster rushed for 295 yards.

There was little time for celebration for the Eagles, ranked No. 8 in the region by The Times.

Defensive back Vernon Smith, the team leader with three interceptions, learned Friday that he will move today with his parents to Kansas.

The Falcons challenged briefly, closing the margin to 10-7 when they faked a 28-yard field goal and scored on an 11-yard pass from Thompson to Travis Morse.

The play was set up by Shane Johnson’s recovery of a Gary Lu fumble. Johnson also intercepted a pass.

Palmdale was outgained, 176-48, in the first half, but entered halftime trailing only 10-0.

It could have been worse, but linebacker Mark Hendricks intercepted a Jacobs pass at the Palmdale seven with 45 seconds left in the second quarter.

Kicker Robby LaPlante hammered a 45-yard field goal into a stiff crosswind in the first quarter to open the scoring.