Every year, there’s anticipation for what’s to come in the Fall Football season. Excitement for the players that are returning and for the players coming up, and above all, hope that the oblong sphere that they all chase will bounce in the Don’s direction more often than to their opponents.

This year is no different for the Acalanes Football program. There are multiple returning starters that are a year older, bigger, stronger, and faster, as well as a stacked JV team supplying a plethora of talent to fill in any gaps. It’s still early in the preseason with the team just having finished its summer Tahoe Camp, but it’s never too early for Acalanes Boosters to start getting hyped about what could be a very exciting year of Acalanes Football.

Let’s start with the thunder up front. With three returning starters coming back on the offensive line, Tyler Murphy (a 3-year starter), Marcus Julian, and Victor Nicolacakis, along with part-time starter Zach Robb, the O-line will be experienced, strong, and menacing, averaging well over 6’0″ and 250 lbs. The final spot could be filled by senior OL/LB Miller Smith, or up-and-coming juniors Henry Hagel or Trevor Carrillo. After a year of opening up holes for 1,000-yard rusher Evan Malmquist, this year’s line is primed to dominate on the line of scrimmage in a way that the Dons haven’t been able to do in years.

Running behind the behemoths in the trenches will be returning senior speedster Ellis Burger, who averaged 12.6 yards per carry and scored 5 TDs backing up Malmquist in 2021. Burger is not only a powerful runner but also an excellent receiver out of the backfield showcasing that ability with several long catches in the Tahoe Summer Camp. Backing up Ellis will be upcoming juniors Jack Giorgianni and Jack Miller.

Balancing out the thunder in the trenches is the lightning on the outside with four returning wideouts showcasing elusiveness, experience, and above all, speed. Junior Trevor Rogers is the leading returning pass-catcher with 23 receptions for 452 yards and 5 TDs, followed by senior Ethan Torres with 17 receptions for 222 yards and 4 TDs, and senior Andrew Habas with 7 receptions for 119 yards and 2 TDs. In addition to those returning starters, late-season call-up junior Paul Kuhner adds even more speed to the lineup, showcasing his top ten track wheels by returning two kick-offs for TDs in his very first varsity game.

While there is a ton of experience on the line, in the backfield, and on the outside, the Dons will be welcoming a brand new QB to the fold after the departure of league MVP Luke Souza. Juniors Jake Boselli and Sully Bailey provide right/left options for Coach Burnsed that would be ideal for a starting rotation but will need to be sorted out in the Fall on the Football field. Both QBs are talented and raw, but Acalanes could not have a better mentor than legendary Coach Floyd to get them primed and ready to lead the team.

While Acalanes was an offensive juggernaut last year, the defense struggled to get its footing at times. This year it all starts up front with a deep group of linemen that can go both ways, and some very talented juniors coming in to shore up the trenches. Juniors Brady Morrow and Lucas Rocha both have performed well in line 1-on-1s during Spring and at the Tahoe Camp, and look to have the inside track on starting at two of the D-line slots, with the other spot filled by either Chase Caceido (who had been out with a foot injury) or a rotation between two-way linemen Murphy, Julian, and Robb. However it shakes out, the D-line will be big, strong, and very athletic this year.

Junior LB Jack Giorgianni returns after a mid-year call-up last year, and senior LBs Nathan Bennett, Miller Smith, George Churchill, and Nathan Kim also bring experience, at Will, Sam, and Mike. Former lineman and defensive back (yes he’s played both), Justin Zegarowski has looked fantastic at the rush end “Don” LB position in Spring and at the Tahoe Camp and is looking like a big-time playmaker at that key spot.

In the defensive backfield, Coco Gannon returns with a lot of big-time reps at Strong Safety, while former LB Kyle Bielawski has moved to Free Safety to take better advantage of his track speed. While the team lost most of its experience at the corners, two juniors have looked promising in the Spring, Gavin Bender, and Marshall Anderson, along with two-way stand-outs Torres and Rogers.

As we remember from last year, the kicking game is critical in close contests and the team is lucky to welcome back senior Zach Murdin to handle FGs and PATs. Zach alternated with Rhett Skvarna last year and continues to be a reliable and potent weapon for the offense.

Only a couple of months left before the start of school and August practices and before you know it they’ll be suiting up for the Fall scrimmage and then the first game of the year at O’Dowd! The boys and coaches have been working hard and bonding as a team with the talent, drive, and opportunity to deliver an incredibly memorable playoff run this season!