By Richard Paolinelli
MaxPreps.com
The Palma High Chieftains could have easily mailed in their season after the way the last two weeks have played out. A blowout loss to national powerhouse De La Salle two weeks ago was followed by a costly 7-3 win over North Salinas last week.
But playing without starting quarterback Connor Farotte, who collapsed on the sidelines during last week's win over North Salinas and was rushed to the hospital with a severe concussion, Palma rebounded this week with an impressive 35-3 win over Salinas on Friday.
Farotte spent two days in a Salinas hospital intensive care unit with bleeding of the brain before finally being released and his return to action on the field this year is very much in doubt.
"It was a scary situation," Palma coach Jeff Carnazzo told the Monterey Herald, adding that the exact play that caused the injury is unknown. "He came off the field on his own. I talked to him after the play. I had no clue anything was wrong. He never said his head hurt."
A few moments later Farotte indicated that his head began to hurt and was progressively getting worse before he collapsed on the sidelines during the second quarter. He was rushed to the hospital and remained unconscious until the following morning.
Without Farotte to lead the team, Palma could have easily folded and let its season slip away.
But the Chieftains instead seemed to steady themselves and rallied behind a solid running game to improve to 2-0 in the Tri-County Athletic League and 4-1 overall.
Palma finished with 350 yards rushing and averaged 10 yards per rushing attempt in the first two quarters. Chad Davis led the way with 119 yards while Nate Ramirez added 106 and A.J. Layson tacked on 54 yards.
David Fales, Farotte's replacement, was 5-of-10 for 57 yards, including a 26-yard pass to John Banano for a score.
Palma will face Alisal this week in Salinas as the Chieftains will continue to drive for the playoffs without Farotte.
But the primary focus is on Farotte's return to good health and that concern is not just limited to the Palma High faithful.
Several TCAL coaches either made the trip to Farotte's bedside while he was hospitalized while others called to check on his progress and wish him well.
"You want to talk about sportsmanship and class," Carnazzo said in an interview with the Monterey Herald. "I really appreciate the support from my peers. Every coach in the TCAL called me."
Water Polo
Menlo-Atherton staked its claim to first place in the Peninsula Athletic League Bay Division in girls water polo with a 6-4 win over Castilleja and is now 3-0 in league play. Morgan Leech led the way with three goals. Woodside improved to 2-2 in league play with a 14-3 win over San Mateo behind a seven-goal effort by Hayley Walker.
In the Ocean Division, Hillsdale upset previously unbeaten Half Moon Bay 6-4 behind Coco Mortin's four-goal performance. Half Moon Bay (6-1) remained in first place as Mills also pulled off an upset, defeating Terra Nova 8-6. Both teams are now 5-2 and tied for second place.
In boys water polo action, Half Moon Bay remained tied for first place at 5-1 with a 19-4 rout of Hillsdale while Mills (5-1) survived an 11-10 shootout with Terra Nova.
