It’s always a great day to be a Don, and that was absolutely the case Friday night at the packed Acalanes field when the Varsity Dons played one of their best games of the year and beat Campolindo 17-7.
Football is a team sport and every Don contributed to the win, but there were a few plays that really stood out:
THE CATCH AND RUN: On 2nd and 10 from the 3-yard line, Brady Huchingson connected with a wide-open Jack Muren for a 97-yard TD reception. Muren’s “yards after catch” were substantial, as he caught the ball at the 35-yard line and then used his Dons track speed to separate himself from the Campolindo defenders.
THE KICK(S): Hunter Ridley had an outstanding night, booming kickoffs into the end zone and a perfect performance on field goals and PATs, but the moment to remember was his clutch 56-yard punt (“The Punt”) in the 4th quarter that pinned Campolindo deep in their own territory. There has been no time in recent Dons history where a punt mattered so much, and Ridley delivered.
THE RECOVERY: Another special teams play was key to the Dons’ win. Late in the 4th quarter after Campolindo scored and had a bit of momentum, Niko Cortessis made a leaping, athletic recovery of a well-placed Campolindo onside kick. Cortessis also had a big night on defense, with multiple sacks and tackles for loss.
THE PICKS: Tommy Thrasher shut down two 4th quarter Campolindo drives by intercepting passes by the Cougars’ D1-commit quarterback (UC Davis) Grant Harper. Thrasher also had a fumble recovery on the 2-yard line to stop another Campolindo drive.
THE DEFENSIVE STAND: In the final minutes, with Campolindo moving the ball downfield, the Dons defense shut down the Cougars with big plays from defensive backs Luke Miles and Lucas Eppinger, and a game-ending defensive stop by lineman Joey Carrillo.
Mike O’Donnell had a big game on defense, with five solo tackles. Nick Pearson also had five tackles. The Dons’ offensive line was tremendous all night, powering a running game that came up with important yards at key moments. Great play from Carson Burrill, Teo Barakos, Brayden Clarkson, JJ Sterner, Taylor Clark and two-way powerhouse, senior captain John Kalil.
Game photos are here: https://photos.app.goo.gl/pBqPmHmnQcnPioWf7
The Dons visit Miramonte on Friday night to face the Mats. Game time is 7:00.