Nothing feels more like football weather than a beautiful Spring Day… reminds me of the USFL Football league. The Acalanes Varsity Football team played a scrimmage against Granada this past Saturday and the excitement of some normalcy, and of getting to finally see the team suited up, was palpable starting from about 4 days ago. It was great to see the nervous looks on the players and coaches faces as they prepared to play, versus the nervous look of players and coaches over the past several months as they worried about if they will we have a season at all.
The entire football community was ready for this day, and it’s always a good time for Dons Football!
Things looked good for the Dons right from the start of the Scrimmage as Senior kicker, Hunter Ridley, started things off sending the ball well over the head of the Granada return man and into the end zone for a touchback. Special Teams looked exceptionally good for the first game of the season, a credit to Coach Burnsed and how well he and his staff have prepared during the off season.
If you want to play, then practice. If you want to win, then practice harder.
When the Dons Offense took the field for their first touch of the season, Senior Quarterback Brady Hutchinson took the first snap from center and casually rolled to his right to avoid pressure, when his first receiver was covered he checked off to his secondary look, and then threw a dime to Junior Slot Receiver Evan Malmquist, who was cutting across the middle of the field. Malmquist then went 55 yards down the home side line for a touchdown! Not a bad way to start for the offense, which had plenty of time to get things done thanks to the tremendous job of the Offensive Line – Anchored by Seniors JJ Sterner and Branden Clark, Juniors Anthony Ortale and Michael Kuhner, and Sophomore standout Tyler Murphy. Coach Blue will find lots of ways to use the weapons that this team seems to be loaded with .
11 Players, 1 Heartbeat.
The Defense did their jobs as well – Lead by Senior Linemen Joey Carillo and Senior Linebacker Graham Oh – who spent a lot of time messing things up for the Granada offense. The entire defensive squad looked to be in good shape and read the opposing offense very well – Ryan Giorgianni had a good start to his season by causing and recovering a fumble.
Some wish for it – we work for it.
Looking forward to next Saturday when the Dons take on Monte Vista for the season opener at home. The Dons will be ‘Taming the Mustangs’ with game times of: 7:00 pm for Varsity, JV at 4pm and Frosh 1:30pm.
Remember you can LIVE Stream the games if you are not able to attend.
visit www.sportscopelive.com…Type in Acalanes Football…Click on the game you want to watch…There is a $5 fee per stream, so you will need a credit card handy. 1/2 of the funds stays with the football program so it’s a fundraiser as well! Thank you Touchdown Club!