In his first game as Palmer football coach, Ryan Chesla managed a feat no Terrors HC had accomplished in nearly two decades. 

Beat Doherty. 

Palmer secured the 13-0 Week Zero victory Friday night at Garry Berry Stadium to end an eight-game losing streak to its District 11 rivals. This also marks the first victory in a season opener for the Terrors since 2021. 

“I graduated from here in 2004 and we never beat them,” Chesla said. “For these boys to come together like they have after years of losing, it’s amazing to watch them come together and play ball the way they did.” 

The Terrors (1-0) last defeated the Spartans (0-1) Oct. 14, 2011, when Palmer secured a 20-14 win. 

In the 2026 edition of this rivalry game, both teams went scoreless in the first quarter, but the Terrors nearly got on the board in the waning seconds. 

Palmer quarterback Tyren Wilson carried the ball more than 30 yards before a Doherty player poked the ball free. 

The Terrors recovered the ball at the Doherty 2-yard line and Domenique Mirabel punched it in for the touchdown. The successful kick gave Palmer a 7-0 lead with 11:56 left in the half. 

Kymani Dotison and Mirabel recovered a fumble and pulled down an interception to keep the Spartans off the board and took their seven-point advantage into the break. 

On their second possession of the third, Palmer moved the ball 52 yards downfield and Mirabel capped the drive with his second rushing touchdown, this one also for two yards, to build the lead to 13-0 with 4:20 left in the quarter. 

“My offensive line was blocking really good for me all night,” Mirabel said. “I saw a hole and I took it and it helped us grow the lead.” 

While Mirabel and the Terrors offense built a cushion, Palmer’s defense ensured that Doherty stayed off the board.

After Dotison’s fumble recovery, the Terrors forced two more turnovers that thwarted the Spartan offense and allowed the Terrors to regain possession.

“We bring the energy,” Dotison said. “We stayed with it all summer and lifted weights and we transferred that energy onto the field. I feel like I helped set the tone with my fumble recovery and we just kept it going from there.”

Chesla, Palmer’s players and coaches soaked in the victory as the horns sounded as they bolted toward their fan section to celebrate. Now, Palmer will attempt to keep that momentum as the Terrors host Woodland Park on Thursday at 7 p.m. and look to go 2-0.

“They’re showing toughness and perseverance,” Chesla said. “We have a lot of guys playing both ways and they don’t have a chance to take a break. For them to work through it and play through the pain and exhaustion that’s what it takes. We’re building a foundation of a successful program.”