Undefeated Varsity Football Takes Down the Falcons, 42 to 7

The Dons continue to make noise across the Bay Area football scene. Last week, MaxPreps elevated the Dons to the No. 4 spot in the North Coast Section rankings. West Coast Preps followed suit, placing Acalanes at No. 8 in their latest Bay Area Top 25. With every game, the Dons are proving that the hype is very real and very earned. After notching major wins against WCAL powers Mitty and St. Ignatius, both known for their disciplined defenses, Acalanes kept its foot on the gas this past Friday, overpowering College Park with a commanding 42–7 victory.

Offense in Overdrive

The Dons’ offense has emerged as one of the most explosive units in the region, averaging an impressive 39 points per game. Against College Park, the offensive machine looked nearly untouchable, fast, physical, and relentless. The offensive line deserves its share of the spotlight. Their protection was rock solid, giving Winkles the space to go to work. The unit’s physicality and discipline set the tone up front and allowed the Dons’ offense to dominate from start to finish.

Finn Rivera delivered a masterclass in execution, scoring three touchdowns with precision and poise. His ability to shift gears and capitalize on any defensive misstep left College Park defenders scrambling to keep up. Josh Elerts once again lived up to his reputation as one of the most physical backs in the league. With two touchdowns on the night, he plowed through defenders and punished anyone who tried to stand in his way. Known primarily for his defensive prowess, Deonte Littlejohn made a statement on offense this week. He powered through with a bulldozer touchdown, reminding everyone that he’s a two-way threat capable of changing the game from either side of the ball. Quarterback Tyler Winkles was the calm conductor behind it all. His decision-making, timing, and execution kept the Dons in rhythm throughout the game. Whether slinging it deep, finding his receivers in tight windows, or managing the tempo, Winkles played with maturity well beyond his years.

Defense Makes Another Statement

While the offense piled on points, the defense once again proved that this team isn’t just built to score, it’s built to shut teams down. Last week, the Dons’ defense held a dangerous St. Ignatius squad in check. This week, they turned in another ruthless performance, limiting College Park to just one touchdown early in the second quarter. That brief moment of parity was quickly erased when the Dons answered back before the half and never looked back.

River Lockwood threw the switch on momentum with a clutch interception and a 29-yard return that lit up the Acalanes sideline. Not to be outdone, Finn Rivera slammed the door shut in the second half with a pick that iced the game for the Dons. The Falcons never found their wings. Yes, there was one touchdown allowed in the second quarter, the lone blemish on an otherwise dominant night. Call it a hiccup. After that, the defense tightened the screws and never let up. Bryce Birdsong brought the thunder just before halftime with a strip-sack, one of his two on the night, camping out in the College Park backfield and making life miserable for the Falcons’ offense. From the trenches to the secondary, Acalanes’ defense wasn’t just reacting; it was dictating. This is a unit that doesn’t wait for opportunity, it hunts it, traps it, and finishes the job.

Looking Ahead: On the Road to Mount Diablo

Next up, the Dons travel to face Mount Diablo for a 7:30 PM kickoff. The Red Devils enter the matchup with a 3–1 record, coming off their first loss of the season against Alameda. Mount Diablo will be eager to bounce back and will no doubt come in prepared, hungry, and physical. Their coaching staff is undoubtedly pouring over film, looking for a way to slow down a team that has looked nearly unstoppable through four weeks.

But for Acalanes, every week is a new battle. A new challenge. A new opportunity to prove that they’re not just contenders, they’re setting the standard. The Red Devils may bring the pitchforks. The Dons will bring the plan, the fire, and the execution. And if recent history is any indication, they’ll leave the field with another statement win. Fear the Blue!

Stay tuned. The story of this season is still being written and the Dons have the pen.

Categories: Fall Sports, Football