Ridin’ High, Ridin’ High, Ridin’ High, after a rough week where the Dons fell just short of victory, they wasted no time getting a bit of revenge on a Benicia High team that had beaten them at home just last year, with a 48-7 win at Benicia. All in all the defense held the Panthers to only 84 yards while the offense rolled up 355 yards of their own. Special teams even got into the act, with Mike LB George Churchill returning a short punt 30 yards for the first TD of his Acalanes career. In addition to that Churchill score, QB Sully Bailey threw four touchdown passes (two to WR Trevor Rogers of 6 and 20 yards, and two to WR Ethan Torres of 21 and 81 yards), and QB Jake Boselli threw two of his own (one to WR Andrew Habas of 20 yards, and one to RB Jack Miller of 10 yards). Defensive standouts included Ace Reeder: 3 solo tackles, and 2 assists, John Rusk: 2 solo tackles and 4 assists, Jack Giorgianni: 2 solo tackles, 3 assists, 0.5 TFLs, George Churchill: 1 solo tackle, 5 assists, and 1 TFL, and Kyle Bielawski, Mason Michlitsch, and Miller Smith with 1 interception each.

The Dons started out the game on defense and immediately exerted their will, as DE Nathan Bennett hit the Panthers QB as he was throwing and the errant pass was intercepted by FS Kyle Bielawski at the Benicia 34-yard line. After a 15-yard reverse by WR Paul Kuhner and a 7-yard run by RB Ellis Burger got the ball down inside the red zone, QB Sully Bailey connected with WR Trevor Rogers for the first TD of the game, Dons 7, Panthers 0.

The quick score didn’t deter Benicia, however, and a good kick return got them out to midfield. Three running plays put the Panthers within a yard of a first down, and it was then that they decided to challenge the Dons’ defense. On fourth and one with only a yard to go, the Dons’ defense stiffened, with DE Bennett, LB Churchill, and FS Bielawski converging to stop the Panther QB short of the first and turning the ball back over to Acalanes. Two passes later the Dons were in the end zone again, with the final 20-yard score coming from Bailey to WR Ethan Torres to make the score Dons 14, Panthers 0.

Acalanes’s defense didn’t let up on Benicia’s next possession, causing another three-and-out, and returning the ball to the offense. Not wanting to waste any time, Bailey looked to Torres again and dialed long distance with a big 81-yard bomb that went all the way to the house for a third score and a 21-0 Acalanes lead.

Yet another three-and-out forced by the Dons’ defense put the Panthers in fourth and long and set up to punt. After a poor snap caused the Benicia punter to run for his life, the subsequent short kick fell right into the hands of LB George Churchill and he knew what to do. George secured the ball, headed toward the pylon, and 30-yards later he was in for six! The extra point was blocked, making the score Dons 27, Panthers 0.

There was no let-up on this night for the Acalanes’ defense and once again after three downs, the offense had the ball. After a few games where Acalanes’ patented draw play hadn’t been working, Coach Floyd added a new wrinkle. This time QB Bailey deceptively handed the ball behind RB Burger’s back, giving him space to take off for a big 29-yard gain all the way down to the Benicia 20-yard line. The sideline went crazy! One play later Bailey completed the drive with a 20-yard TD to a cutting, weaving, juking, Trevor Rogers, and it was Dons 34, Panthers 0.

The second quarter began much like the first, with the defense stuffing the Panthers on three downs and forcing yet another punt. Now with QB Jake Boselli at the helm, the Dons’ moved methodically downfield including a 15-yard screen to Burger, a 6-yard completion to WR Paul Kuhner, and finally, a 20-yard TD to WR Andrew Habas, Dons 41, Panthers 0, to end the first half.

With such a large lead to start the second half, many of the Dons starters sat, giving the younger backups a chance to shine. On the Dons’ first possession of the second half, RB Jack Miller was especially effective, with a 15-yard run and a 10-yard reception for a touchdown, the final one of the day for the Dons, making the score Dons 48, Panthers 0. A late touchdown by Benicia made the final Dons 48, Panthers 7.

Max Preps players of the game:
Overall: Ethan Torres, excelled on both sides of the ball once again, with 2 catches for 102 yards and two TDs along with two tackles on defense.
Offense: Trevor Rogers, 3 catches for 60 yards and two TDs
Defense: Marcus Julian, 4 tackles, 1.5 sacks
Special Teams: George Churchill, 30-yard punt return for a TD

Great win after a tough week against a traditionally strong opponent on their home field. The Dons move to 7-1 and look to continue their winning ways at home for Senior Night vs the Miramonte Matadors and their UCLA-bound QB. Let’s keep the winning momentum going for the last regular season home game of the year! Go Dons!