Anything that lasts needs to be built with a strong foundation. With buildings, the foundation is underground, unseen but absolutely critical to whatever is built on top. No matter how ornate and expansive the trappings of the building might be, it all is for naught if the foundation isn’t solid.
On a football team, the foundation is built on the lines, both offensive and defensive. You may not always notice the impact that the lines have when things are running smoothly and unless there is a penalty or a breakdown, the big fellas in the middle of the fray don’t get much attention. Without the accolades, retweets, highlight videos, and media coverage, the boys in the trenches are bound and driven by the team concept, by the feeling of family. When QB Sully Bailey hits WR Trevor Rogers on a 95-yard slant for a TD, when RB Ellis Burger cuts back inside for a rushing TD, when LB George Churchill stones the RB at the line of scrimmage, or DE Justin Zegarowski sacks the QB, all immortalized in Hudl highlights, tweeted and re-tweeted, covered in prep websites, in hype videos, and with a multitude of statistics, the linemen put their heads down, walk back to the huddle and get ready for the extra point or the next play. That foundation is built on hard work, and the feeling of family across everyone on the team, starters, back-ups, offense, defense, linemen, receivers, running backs, quarterbacks, coaches, parents, siblings, friends, teachers, the whole Acalanes community. That’s what shows up on the field on Friday nights.
Taking the field for the first league game of the season, the Dons remembered their close loss at Las Lomas last year and were determined to protect their home turf. From Las Lomas’ opening possession the defense was stifling, allowing the Knights QB, the same one who had a big game against them last year, no room to breathe, and completely shutting down any opportunity to run despite an experienced and talented Las Lomas offensive line. DTs Chase Caicedo (wearing Zach Robb’s #61 jersey) and Brady Morrow completely controlled the line of scrimmage, giving LBs George Churchill and Jack Giorgianni the freedom to close any gaps that the Knights were trying to expose and DEs Nathan Bennett and Justin Zegarowski unabated runs at the Las Lomas QB.
When the Knights were able to get off a pass, the Dons’ defensive backfield was equally formidable. DBs Kyle Bielawski, Gavin Bender, Max Thomas, Everett Glass, Ethan Torres, and Coco Gannon completely shut down the Las Lomas passing game, cutting off any attempts at big pass plays and coming up with two interceptions, one a beautifully timed jump ball pick by Torres, and the second another perfectly timed swat by Torres tipped over to Gannon who snagged it right before it hit the ground.
While the defense was making life miserable for the Las Lomas, the Dons’ offense was chomping at the bit to put its stamp on the game. After punting on their first two possessions, the defense helped out the offense by pinning the Knights back inside their own five-yard line. A near safety by DE Nathan Bennett was followed by a run stuffed by DT Chase Caicedo, and an incomplete pass on third down. The ensuing short punt from deep in the Knight’s end zone, set up the Dons nicely on the Las Lomas’ side of the 50-yard line. That was all the offense needed to get moving. A couple of completions from QB Sully Bailey, a quick turn on a short comeback from Torres turned into a 19-yard gain, and finally, a short post to WR Trevor Rogers and it was 7-0 Dons.
After that first score, the Dons kept on rolling. Las Lomas was never able to slow down the Acalanes’ passing game all night and both QBs took advantage with Sully Bailey going 11 for 17 for 272 yards and 3 TDs and Jake Boselli adding 10 for 15 for 112 yards and 1 TD. Never a group to miss an opportunity to shine, WRs Trevor Rogers (5 receptions for 130 yards and 2 TDs), Ethan Torres (4 receptions for 137 yards and 1 TD), Andrew Habas (2 receptions for 15 yards), Mason Zirkel (4 receptions for 16 yards), and Jake Takeuchi (5 receptions for 82 yards and 1 TD) went crazy finding open spots all over the field and running wild after nearly every catch.
While the running game took longer to get on track, there was no holding the Dons out of the end zone on the ground, with RB Ellis Burger scoring two short TDs on power runs. Las Lomas keying on Burger opened up running opportunities for big runs for other players, with QB Sully Bailey and WRs Andrew Habas and Jake Takeuchi breaking out for long runs through the Knights D. The run game would have accumulated even more yards if not for a few untimely penalties on a couple of long runs by Burger.
All in all the Don’s offense scored 42 points on a league rival and might have scored more had the running clock not been invoked in the 4th quarter (when a team is up by 35 points or more in the 4th quarter the clock does not stop). However, the story of this game was the defense pitching a shutout, getting two interceptions, a fumble, 5 sacks, and not letting the Knights beyond the Acalanes’ 35-yard line. Sixteen different players recorded tackles led by DE Nathan Bennett (3 Solo, 2 Assists, 3 Tackles for Loss, 3 Sacks and 1 Fumble caused), LB Colin Malmquist (4 Solo), and DT Brady Morrow (3 Solo, 1 Assist).
After starting the ultra-competitive DAL Foothill League with a win, the Dons look to go on the road to face our neighboring Campolindo Cougars and keep our win streak alive. We need the whole Dons Family to show up and cheer on our team as they try to continue what looks to be a potentially historic run to the playoffs… and when you see one of our hard-working linemen make sure you tell them that their efforts are appreciated… Go Dons!