The Acalanes Dons took their show on the road to defeat the Amador Valley Dons 36-20 on their home turf. The Acalanes Dons played a lights out first half and headed into halftime leading Amador Valley 26-6.
A huge shout out to the offensive linemen Cash Ricker, Matthew Lee, Henry Werner, Oliver Macleod and Austin McManamon (and others!), for giving the offense time to works its first half magic. Speaking of magic, it would be hard not to mention the obvious — QB Tyler Winkles passed to receiver Finn Rivera for not 1, not 2, but THREE touchdowns in the first half alone! And just when the Dons fans and players thought they had seen it all, the offense pulled a rabbit out of their hat and executed a beautiful double pass play. You guessed it… Winkles to Rivera to Grant Condy who caught a long pass from Rivera for TD #4. The offense put on quite the magic show in the first half!
Bend but don’t break! That is the only phrase that can explain what the Acalanes defense had to endure as Amador Valley’s hefty offense ran almost every ball straight up the middle. Amador Valley had possession for over 30 minutes, while Acalanes’ time of possession was only 9:33. The Acalanes defense hung in there while Amador Valley continued their run game only to let the time keep wasting away… The Acalanes defense truly exhibited the importance of a TEAM effort as all players made key plays to stop the opponent.
Danny Dunne! Defensive linemen Danny Dunne was named MaxPreps defensive player of the game with 16 tackles (including 3 sacks!).
The list of defensive players with tackles is a mile long. The following Dons showed up big on D: Cusumano (5 solo tackles; 5 assists), Birrell (2 intereptions), Perez (2 solo tackles; 4 assists), Shea Stahl (1 solo tackle; 5 assists), Will Miller, Condy, Henry Werner, Mason Lanphere (1 sack), Jackson Boselli, Luke Dafferner, Birrell, Durham Vail, Ben Mickelson, Rivera, Jasper Stewart, and Bryce Mansour.
In the second half Henry Werner scored the only TD for the Acalanes Dons with a carry into the end zone after big offensive plays by Bryce Mansour, Jackson Boselli and Rivera. Condy caught the pass for the 2 point conversion putting Acalanes ahead 36-14
Amador Valley’s only successful passing play of game was a touchdown bringing the final score to 36-20. Amador Valley’s slow running game coupled with tough defense by the Acalanes Dons left no chance for additional points to be scored.
The Acalanes Dons walked away with the WIN and will head into week 4 with a 3-0 record. Thanks again to all the fans that showed up to support the freshman Dons. We packed the stands and got LOUD!
MaxPreps Players of the Game
Overall: #13 Finley Rivera
Offense: #5 Tyler Winkles
Defense: #76 Daniel Dunne
Special Teams: #16 Shea Stahl