From Tahoe to Alhambra
It seems like it all went so fast, yet it all started back in the Summer before the boys were even technically Acalanes Students. They have come so far in such a short period of time, thanks to great coaching and a commitment to Dons Family. The Frosh Dons ended up averaging over 100 yards per game on the ground with 12 TDs, and over 188 yards per game through the air with 24 TDs. Consistency on the line was a big factor in offensive production, with Tyler Murphy, Miller Smith, Lex Jung, Nathan Kim and Marcus Julian starting every game. Nine different players carried the ball over the course of the season, Tobias Schwing leading the way with 348 total yards and 6 TDs, on a Heisman-worthy pace of 11.6 yards a carry. RBs Ben Foox, Kaleo Feinberg and QB Kyle Bielawski also chipped in with rushing TDs over the course of the season. Eight different players caught passes over the year, including two from QB2 Luke Dulik and one from Jake Takeuchi on a WR pass. Ethan Torres was the home run king, averaging 28.13 yards per catch with a team long 74-yard TD. Theo Stoll, Andrew Habas, Jake Takeuchi and Tobias Schwing also added TD receptions in addition to Ethan. Defense developed a bit slower, but in the end 30 kids ended up with at least one solo tackle, led by Strong Safety Coco Gannon with 21. The Dons’ D also had five picks, two each by Mason Michlitsch and Andrew Habas and one by Nikko Woodson, and 27 sacks, led by Miller Smith, Tobias Schwing and Tyler Murphy with five each.
Offensive MVP: Kyle Bielawski #9
Cool Kyle Bielawski, led the offensive juggernaut this year, throwing for 1,466 yards and 24 TDs with a 61% completion percentage. Kyle also carried the ball 49 times (most on the team) for a 4.78 yard per carry average and rushed for 3 TDs. Throughout the season Kyle was a steadying influence, running the offense with efficiency and at high speed, standing tall in the pocket, hitting receivers in stride, buying time when it was needed and not being afraid to pull it and run when the opportunity arose.
Defensive MVP: Tyler Murphy #62
Tyler “Braveheart” Murphy was a disruptive force on defense, collapsing opponent’s offensive lines and making lives miserable for the visiting QBs. Tyler led or tied for the lead in fumbles recovered (2), fumbles caused (1), tackles for loss (9) and sacks (5). His tireless push moved the line of scrimmage and many times forced teams to double him, allowing the Dons’ other defenders to run free and make plays in the opponent’s backfield.
Special Teams: Theo Stoll #13
Theo “Theopedo” Stoll was a terror to opposing defenses all year. All up he scored 11 TDs, including 9 on Kick Off returns with a per game average of 35.75 and a long of 90 yards. He also led the team in punt returns averaging more than 19 yards a return with a long of 28. Every time Theo touched the ball, the crowd erupted as he juked and sped across the field leaving a myriad of defenders in his wake, rarely stopping before he hit paydirt.
Special Teams: Andrew Huchingson #2
Andrew “Clutch” Huchingson, showed amazing improvement over the course of the season. From his tentative first few kick offs and extra points, to the booming blasts of the second half of the season. Huch ended up 5 for 7 on extra points, with no opposing Kick Offs returned for TDs and two expertly executed onside kicks recovered by Acalanes.
Most Improved: Tyler Worthington #5
Tyler “Shark” Worthington may have taken a few games to find his sweet spot, but once he found it as Nose Tackle in the middle of the defense, he made up for lost time quickly. Even though he only started a little more than half the games at NT, he led the team in Fumbles Caused (2) and finished 3rd in Tackles for Loss with seven. In probably the toughest game, Tyler fought through illness to continually penetrate and disrupt the Campolindo offense, with numerous big plays to stymie the Cougars.
Coaches Award: Andrew Habas #18
Andrew “Hey Hey” Habas was electrifying from the beginning of the season all the way to the end. Whether it was returning kick offs, catching slants over the middle and taking it to the house, or snagging pick sixes while dropping into coverage, Andrew scored in pretty much every way imaginable this year. His ten total TDs was augmented by an extra point, and included the longest TD of the year, a 91 yard Kick-Off return for a TD. Unofficially he also led the team in TDs called back, including a long return in the last game of the season against Alhambra.
Our Dons Family
See you all next year!