The Archbishop Mitty Monarchs traveled all the way down to Salinas to get away from the bad air quality in the Bay Area and to also start their 2021 football season against the Palma Chieftains at RaboBank Stadium.
Mitty, with their junior QB Wills Towers, seemed to be moving the ball well but a mistake early in the game cost them to fall behind. Palma capitalized on the Monarchs error to take a 7 nothing lead. Palma came out with one thing in mind and that is to score with every possession and they pretty much did that all in the first half. QB Luke Rossi led the offense with four total touchdowns, all in the first half. The 3-star national recruit was impressive on the ground and in the air. There were three plays that really stood out, 1 was a 72-yard QB keeper that totally juked our camera. The second was a sneaky play on 4th and one that ended up being a 30+ yard QB keeper for a TD. The third was a strike to sophomore star Logan Saldate in the back toward the left corner of the endzone for a touchdown. Rossi looked like Patrick Mahomes on the play with a quick sidearm release while in motion.
Mitty’s mistakes resulted in the Chieftains building a four-touchdown lead and they never recovered from it. A running clock was put in effect in the second half. Credit the Chieftains defense for pitching a shutout and special shout out to the kicker, punter, and offensive guard Misha Lomboy for completing the perfect trifecta performance of the team. Rossi completed 10/10 passes for 67 yards and a TD. He also rushed for 103 yards on five carries and four touchdowns.
Palma will play Sacred Heart Cathedral next in San Francisco, Friday night. Kickoff time is at 7pm.
