In a thrilling showdown dubbed “The Battle of the Dons,” the Acalanes Dons fell just short against the Amador Valley Dons, losing a heartbreaker 23-24. The game came down to a tense final play, where Acalanes attempted a 2-point conversion with 25 seconds remaining, but they were stopped inches short of the goal line.

Despite outgaining Amador in total offensive yards — 433 to 305 — Acalanes struggled with self-inflicted errors that ultimately cost them the game. The Dons recorded two critical fumbles at the 1-yard line and missed a field goal, which could have changed the outcome. Adding to their woes, they lost starting running back Austin Wampler (#10) early in the game due to an injury.

In addition to the fumbles, five dropped passes, two of which were potential touchdowns, further marred their performance.

Acalanes sophomore quarterback Tyler Winkles (#6), displayed impressive poise throughout the game, completing 15 of 28 passes for 188 yards and a passing touchdown. With 25 seconds left, he gave Acalanes a glimmer of hope by also scrambling in for another score. Winkles finished with 205 total yards from scrimmage without any turnovers, showcasing his potential despite the team’s struggles.

The standout player for Acalanes was senior wide receiver Niko White (#18), who caught 9 passes for 96 yards, including a 15-yard touchdown, and rushed for 22 yards. His ability to convert crucial 4th downs during the final drive was pivotal in keeping Acalanes in the game. Additionally, in light of Wampler’s injury in the first half, RB/DE Deonte Littlejohn (#46) stepped up, rushing 22 times for 137 yards and a touchdown.

On the other side, Amador’s senior quarterback, Tristan Tia, proved to be the game-changer. Facing a 4th and 1 with less than three minutes left and trailing 16-17, Tia escaped multiple sacks and delivered a left-handed pass to Kade Robertson for a go-ahead touchdown. Tia finished with 162 passing yards, a touchdown, an interception, and three 2-point conversions. Amador running back Harrington was another key player, rushing for 95 yards on 8 carries, including a 54-yard touchdown, and catching 8 passes for 75 yards.

Defensively, Acalanes struggled but managed to keep Amador in check, limiting them to three touchdowns. The Dons recorded four sacks for a loss of 35 yards, with standout performances from Wyatt Cooper (#11), Bethel Imasuen (#65), David Roux (#23), and Brody Greenfield (#45). Roux also intercepted a pass, highlighting the Dons’ defensive resilience amid the chaos.

As the game came to a close, both teams left everything on the field, and Acalanes could hold their heads high despite the loss. The Dons learned valuable lessons from this tightly contested match, and with a promising young quarterback and resilient players, they look forward to bouncing back stronger in their upcoming games.