On a cool, clear night at Santa Rosa High School the boys took down their third undefeated team of the season and grabbed an NCS Championship while they were at it! The Dons beat the previously unbeaten San Marin Mustangs 24-7 at a neutral site. The Mustangs were 13-0 and on a 17 game winning streak, until they ran into a fearless Acalanes squad that ended their season. The win secured the first NCS Football Championship in school history for the Dons!
It was a complete team win with the boys clicking on Offense, Defense and Special Teams. Everyone contributed, but one player set the tone for the game from the very first play. Paul Kuhner took the opening kickoff 98 yards for a touchdown to shock San Marin and serve notice that the Dons would not be denied on this brisk November evening.
With the Dons leading 7-0, a tight defensive struggle ensued. Both teams battled to establish a running game to no avail. With the boys backed up to their own end zone, Sully Bailey launched a punt towards midfield that bounced off of a Mustang returner and was recovered by a hustling Everett Glass. The ball seemed to bounce the right way all night long.
The tight game continued into the second quarter. San Marin managed to tie the game at 7-7 with their only score of the contest. From there the Acalanes Defense took control.
As time was expiring in the first half the Dons field goal unit hastily ran onto the field. They were set just before time expired, as Trevor Rogers boomed a 39 yard field goal to give the boys the momentum back and the lead at 10-7.
The second half belonged to the determined Acalanes Dons. The boys outscored the Mustangs 14-0 and the Defense was simply lights out against the heralded San Marin Offense.
QB Sully Bailey had a solid all around game, going 17-22 for 228 yards. He also had his best punting game of his high school career. Sully connected with his core quintet of Wide Receivers (Henry Souza, Niko White, Mason Zirkel, Trevor Rogers and Paul Kuhner) throughout the game. Kuhner led all receivers with 3 catches for 91 yards, including a key 56 yard reception.
Niko White also had a great game with three receptions and two runs, including a 5 yard touchdown run in the third quarter that put the Dons up 17-7. His most important contributions though, may have been his two fumble recoveries of Acalanes miscues in the first quarter. Niko was money when it counted most.
The Dons Defense was relentless all night. Colin Malmquist, Jack Giorgianni and Paul Kuhner led the team in tackles with 7 each. Brady Morrow added 5 critical tackles and constant pressure on the Mustang QB, and Chase Caicedo threw in two timely tackles for losses to the team’s overall dominant performance.
The Offensive Line took over in the second half. Henry Hagel, JD Orear, Drew McKenzie, Andrew Tresser and Brady Morrow started opening big holes for Running Backs Jack Miller and Jack Giorgianni.
In the final quarter Jack Giorgianni gave the Dons a spark with his determined runs. Bailey also found him twice out of the backfield for two key first downs as the clock ticked away. Jack’s 13 yard run to the San Marin one yard line put the boys inches away from an insurmountable lead.
Sully then ran it in from the one yard line to put the Dons up 24-7 with minutes left in the game!
It was now time for Jake Bosellis second clutch play of the game. Earlier in the half, Jake corned the slippery San Marin QB and forced an intentional grounding penalty that killed a Mustang drive and forced a missed 47 yard field goal attempt.
This time, Jake tipped a desperation San Marin pass that was intercepted by Trevor Rogers to seal the game!
The pick set off a wild celebration! We finally won the Big One! The Dons are NCS Champs!!!
The victory was the definition of a team win. There were 5 fumbles in the game and the Dons recovered all 5. The Acalanes Special Teams returned a kick for a touchdown, kicked a critical field goal, went 3-3 on extra points, punted well all evening, recovered a fumbled punt and shut down explosive kick returners. The Offense controlled the ball and registered 19 first downs against a stout San Marin squad. The Defense pitched a shutout in the second half when the team needed it most. Coach Burnsed’s staff had the boys ready to play and executed a flawless game plan for the W!
Players, parents, students, friends and alumni stormed the field as time expired!
A special thanks goes out to the many football team alums who attended the game. They represent the history of Acalanes Football and it was great to see them there for the school’s first ever NCS Championship. Some of those boys just barely missed NCS glory, but that night we were all Champions. This was a win for the entire community. The Dons Nation was in the house!
The party is not over. Join us on Friday for the “2023 CIF State Football Championship Bowl Game – Division 3-AA” tournament. The boys take on the 12-1 Escalon High School Cougars on Friday at 7:30pm, at HOME! Grab your crew and come cheer on this historical team. The Boys in Blue need you! Let’s Go Dons!! Stay hot!!!