Palmdale Is Ahead of the Game at Getting Even

The Payback Tour continues for Palmdale High.

The Falcons play Bloomington tonight, trying to avenge a 1999 loss for the third consecutive week.

Palmdale had high hopes last season, but began with losses to Barstow, Kennedy, Bloomington and Hart, and finished 2-8.

That makes motivation easy for Coach Jeff Williams.

“You don’t have to say much to them,” he said. “They remember.”

Palmdale defeated Barstow, 14-12, in its opener, then rallied for a 44-44 tie last week against Kennedy.

Bloomington defeated the Falcons, 52-46, in one of last season’s most memorable games.

Behind versatile quarterback Terry Furlow, Palmdale is a much stronger team, but its nonleague schedule leaves little room for error.

All five opponents won league titles last season and three advanced to section championships.

Hart captured the Division III title, and Bloomington defeated Barstow in the Division VIII final.

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Keith Jarbo of Burroughs has been selected the student-athlete of the week by SchoolSports.Com.

Jarbo, a receiver-defensive back, is 6 feet 5, 205 pounds and scored 1,380 on the SAT.

He caught 43 passes for 667 yards and intercepted five passes as a junior.