In a bizarre game against a super talented but penalty prone El Cerrito team, the Varsity Dons came up short 32-30 when Hunter Ridley’s 39-yard last second field goal bounced off the left upright and missed wide. It was a strong game for Ridley who kicked three other field goals to provide a new dimension for this Dons team.
The game started well for the Dons with Scott Brydon recovering a fumble and Ridley converting a 37-yard field goal to put Acalanes ahead 3-0. Later in the first half QB Nick Kresnak converted a brilliant deep throw to Keaziah Smith while rolling left to put the Dons back in the red zone. Kresnak then scored on a QB draw to put Acalanes ahead 13-0.
El Cerrito responded, however, with 26 unanswered points to go into halftime ahead 26-13. The Gauchos early game plan seemed to be to run behind their two 300 pound offensive linemen, but the Dons stuffed the run. Unfortunately, El Cerrito’s QB used his potent arm and elite talent at wide receiver to successfully pass the ball in the second quarter.
After a back and forth second half which included a great interception by cornerback Nick Pearson and a Kresnak TD pass to a wide open Lucas Eppinger on a wheel route, things got strange in the fourth quarter. El Cerrito committed numerous penalties to offset its sometimes brilliant play. And then it was assessed FOUR unsportsmanlike conduct penalties on one play which resulted in a first down and 43 yards to go. The Dons responded well after this as the defense got the ball back for the offense and the team marched down the field on a drive which ended with a Kresnak slant pass to Chris Rogers for a TD which cut the score to 32-30.
The Varsity Dons will get some much needed rest from their challenging schedule as they have a bye next week before playing at Clayton Valley on September 28.
The Good Dons Stats
Time of Possession (26:25 vs 21:35)
Total Yards (378 vs 304)
Passing Yards (325 vs 201)
Completions (26 vs 9)
First Downs (24 vs 15)
The Not So Good:
Special teams allowed the 2nd kickoff return of the year
Missed Field Goals (3 for 6)
Passing Completion Rate (43%)
Incomplete passes (28)
Dropped passes (6)
Turnovers (2)
Rushing yards (53)
3 for 18 on 3rd Down Conversions (17%)
Penalties = 38 for 410 yards
Acalanes = 14 for 120 yards
El Cerrito = 24 for 290 yards
Hunter Ridley
FGs = Made 3 of 6
FGs made = 35, 27, 34
FGs missed = 40, 32, 39
Nick Kresnak (QB)
Passing: 26 of 60 (43%)
Passing yards: 325
TD Passes = 2
Longest Completion = 38 yards to Reilly
Interceptions = 1
Chris Rogers (WR)
Catches = 7
Receiving yards = 112
TDs = 1
Longest Reception = 37 yards
Lucas Eppinger (WR)
Catches = 6
Yards = 77
TDs = 1
Longest Reception = 25
Defense
Our defense played another great game, other than giving up a 45 yard pass and 56 yard pass, which both led to 2 touchdowns by El Cerrito (12 points). No single running back had more than 40 yards on El Cerrito and no single WR had more than 3 catches.
Nick Pearson (#4)
Interception = 1 (3rd for the year)
Fumbles Recovered = 2
Solo Tackles = 1
Asst Tackles = 3
Alex Cortessis (#51)
Fumbles Caused = 2
Solo Tackles = 2
Asst Tackles = 3
TFL = 2
Scott Brydon (#6)
Solo Tackles = 4
Asst Tackles = 3
Fumble Recovery = 1 for 13 yard return
Tommy Thrasher (#27)
Solo Tackles = 1
Asst Tackles = 8
TFL = 0.5
