In 2/3 of an attempted four team scrimmage, the Acalanes Varsity shut out Deer Valley and Vallejo, then headed home early when Granada was eliminated for an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty. The scrimmage format is a bit different, with each team getting half of the time on offense and half of the time on defense. Since Granada left early, the Dons had two offensive and two defensive sessions against Deer Valley and Antioch respectively. Practice jerseys worn during the event makes player identification a bit difficult, so apologies if I misidentify a player or two. 

With four returning starters in the defensive backfield, the Dons started off strong holding Deer Valley to a single completion over their entire session on offense. The Wolverines didn’t fare any better on the ground, with strong tackles made by Devin Miniello, Logan Ketcham, Kyle Bielwaski, Ryan Giorgianni, Justin Zegarowski, Kyle White, Coco Gannon, Nathan Bennett, and a sack by Marcus Julian. 

Acalanes also started off well on offense against the Wolverines, with QB Luke Souza completing a flare pass to RB Evan Malmquist, followed two plays later by a 38-yard TD strike across to the middle to WR Will Berrien. After the reset at the 40-yard line, Souza completed a middle screen to Malmquist, who followed great blocks by the O-Line (LT Anthony Ortale, LG Tyler Murphy, C Victor Nikalokakis, RG Marcus Julian, and RT Michael Kuhner) all the way down to the 15-yard line. After a 10-yard inside trap run by Malmquist and two incompletions, Souza hit WR Trevor Rogers on a quick in route in the End Zone for the Don’s second TD of the day.

The next couple series were run by QB Connor McPhail who started off with a quickmiddle screen to WR Patrick Nicosia for 20-yds down to the 20, and then took it himself around right end on a read option to the 8. After a couple of short yardage plays, McPhail rolled right and found WR Jake Takeuchi on a dig route for the third Don’s TD. Just a couple plays later and a few plays before the end of the Deer Valley portion of the scrimmage, McPhail went deep down the left sideline for a 40-yd bomb and the last TD against the Wolverines to WR Miles Bergman.

Next up were the Redhawks of Vallejo High School and the Dons again began on defense. Acalanes started off with a bang, or more accurately a strip sack by DE Taylor Murphy that was recovered by NG Ibis Pond. Since this was a scrimmage and not a game, Vallejo continued on offense but with little success. Tackles by DB Devin Miniello, Murphy again, and LB Ryan Giorgianni three times concluding with a sack, stymied the Redhawks attack. Things didn’t get better for Vallejo after the sack, as DE Tyler Worthington got into the act with a batted down pass, at TFL and a sack. Tackles by DB Ellis Burger and Murphy again, concluded the session and another shut out for the Dons.

Now it was time for the Dons’ O to take the field. After a long TD on a bubble screen was called back for a penalty, RB Evan Malmquist took it to the ground, following perfect blocking by the O-line. RG Marcus Julian and RT Michael Kuhner blew up the DT, LG Tyler Murphy kicked out the OLB, LT Anthony Ortale bulldozed the MLB and Malmquist did the rest, all the way to the end zone and the Dons’ fifth TD of the day. RB Ellis Burger subbed in to spell Malmquist and gained good yardage on a screen pass and a draw play. Soon after that, QB Luke Souza found Dante Montgomery on a crossing pattern and he took in in for another Acalanes TD. Things bogged down a bit for the next few plays, with a sack, a fumble and an interception in the end zone, but then picked up again near the end of the session. QB Connor McPhail lofted a floater to the corner of the end zone that was caught at the apex of Trevor Rogers’ leap for TD number five to get things going. Two more quick completions to WR Dante Montgomery and WR Jake Takeuchi, led to one more quick out to Takeuchi for the sixth and final Acalanes TD of the day. 

Overall, a great showing by the Dons in a controlled scrimmage format. Thankfully everyone came out healthy and ready to take on Sierra of Manteca for the first “real” game next Saturday. Let’s make sure to show up en masse to cheer on our Dons as they kick off what’s sure to be a fantastic season!