A warm breeze blew across the sky over Freedom High School as the home team Falcons prepared to face the visiting Dons. With its grass covered hills and long vistas, Oakley provided almost a midwestern setting for this Monday night match up. In their crisp, away whites, the Dons were looking to continue their hot start to the season after defeating Piedmont 33 – 0 last week in the season opener.
The Dons superb defense was buoyed by the season debuts of two of its best players. Pass rush specialist, Malory Decredico, and All-Everything linebacker and defensive captain, Avery DeMent. Both had missed the previous game and were chomping at the bit to pull some flags. Decredico and DeMent wasted zero time making their presence felt. On Freedom’s opening drive DeMent had 3 or 4 flag pulls and with the Falcons facing a 3rd and 15, Decredico notched her first sack of the year to kill the drive and force a punt. The offense was set up in excellent field position at the Freedom 31 yard line.
The Dons began with speedster running back Isabelle Agnost slashing ahead for 9 yards. QB1 Ines Coyne then hit center Santana Tamayo for 6 before Agnost picked up another 10 to set the Dons up with a 4th and goal from the Freedom 5. The shifty Coyne dropped back, spotted an opening, and scampered into the endzone for the touchdown. Coyne then fired a laser to slot receiver Stella Beuchotte for the PAT and the Dons had a quick 7 – 0 lead. They would not look back.
On Freedom’s next possession Decredico would strike again with a second sack in as many drives. Coyne, now a linebacker on defense, was not satisfied with just offensive production, also recording a sack and the Freedom punter was back on the field. The first quarter would come to an end with the Dons offense taking over on the Freedom 25 and with a 7 – 0 lead.
Acalanes’ drive to start the second quarter was much like the first. Agnost gashing the defense for 5 and 6 yard gains and Coyne hitting Tamayo on short passes. On 3rd and goal from the Freedom 4, Coyne struck again with her legs and scored her second touchdown of the game. The PAT was no good and the Dons held a 13 – 0 lead.
The only thing remarkable about the Falcons’ third drive was the punt. Backed up deep in their own territory, thanks in large part to excellent pressure from first year varsity rusher Ashlyn McCoin, the Freedom punter unleashed a booming kick, completely flipping the field and forcing the Acalanes offense to start at their own 18 yard line. The Dons drive would consist of more slashing runs by Agnost, a nice reception by Beuchotte and a roughing the passer penalty against the Falcons but would ultimately end in a turnover on downs at the Falcons 22. With hardly any time left in the half, Coyne recorded her second sack of the game and after a few last ditch pass attempts by the Falcons QB the half came to an end with the Dons maintaining a 13 – 0 lead.
In the second half the Dons would face their first adversity of the game. A tipped pass deep in Acalanes territory would lead to an interception, giving the Falcons their first scoring opportunity. However, the defense held firm with DeMent forcing the Falcons QB out of bounds on a 4th down attempt to prevent the score. Now, it was time for some fireworks.
On Acalanes next drive a short 3rd and 5 was converted thanks to the sneaky Dons who changed the snap count, getting Freedom defenders to jump offside. On a subsequent 3rd and 20, Prime Time Natal would put her stamp on the game. Running a deep route down the right side, Coyne found Natal in a soft spot in the Falcon secondary. Natal made the catch, juked a defender, and was off to the races. Natal streaked away from the last defensive back for a 60 yard score. The play was reminiscent of her 66 yard touchdown the week before versus Piedmont. Coyne hit Agnost over the middle for the PAT and the Dons extended their lead to 20-0.
Freedom’s next drive was brought to an early end when defensive back Ashby Raher intercepted a deep pass attempt, setting up the Dons at the Falcons’ 35 yard line. However, the Falcons struck back with a pick of their own. Getting desperate, the Falcons went for it on a 4th down attempt but were stymied by the smothering Acalanes defense. A few drives later, DeMent would pick off a Falcon pass and have a shifty return deep into Falcon territory. Coyne would find Prime Time Natal in the right flat for the short score, run the PAT in herself, and the score was now 27 – 0 which would be the final.
Quarterback Ines Coyne had another all around stellar game with 2 touchdowns passing, 2 on the ground and 2 sacks on defense. Natal’s 2 touchdown receptions brought her up to 6 for the year, adding a new, dangerous dimension to the Dons offense. Next up for the Dons is the home opener on Wednesday night against the Mustangs of Monte Vista. The Dons, who have yet to punt or allow a touchdown, will look to continue both those streaks as the fans participate in a whiteout. Wear your best Acalanes white and we will see you in the stands Wednesday night. Go Dons!!
