By Don Delco
WALNUT CREEK, Calif. — Archbishop Mitty High School freshman football team scored three touchdowns on three consecutive possessions in the second quarter, keying the Monarchs to a 28-0 win over Acalanes in the season opener.
The game was played at Los Lomas High School because of a scheduling conflict at Acalanes.
“I was proud of the guys,” Dons coach Dana Hemmingsen said. “That’s probably the best team we will see all season. Mitty almost looked different that the team we saw on their scrimmage film. Some of those kids looked varsity-level size.
“But we were not intimidated and came out from the get go and battled. Obviously, Mitty came to play but our kids didn’t waiver.”
Mitty opened the scoring on the second play of the second quarter, as quarterback Jordan Gascon connected with wide out William Ludlow on a 4-yard touchdown pass.
Acalanes’ ensuing drive reached the Mitty 30-yard line before a deep pass attempt was intercepted at the 5-yard line and returned to the Dons’ 31. The Monarchs marched 69 yards on seven plays culminating the same Gason-to-Ludlow connection, this time for 11 yards to make it 14-0.
Following an Acalanes’ three-and-out and heavy pressure on the punt, Mitty took over at the Dons’ 37-yard line with 2:03 left in the half. Five plays later, Mason Maningo scored on a 7-yard touchdown run to extend the Monarchs’ lead to 21-0 with 49 seconds left in the first half.
Acalanes opened the third quarter with the ball, but were held to another three-and-out. The Dons punted on their first four possessions in the second half. However, Acalanes’ defense began to stymie Mitty. The Dons forced punts on the Monarchs’ first two possessions followed by a goal line stand with 6:41 left in the game.
On the second play of the fourth quarter, Mitty quarterback Bryson Engin connected with wide receiver Grayson Fallis for a 28-yard pass play, setting the Monarchs up first-and-goal at Acalanes’ 3-yard line. Mitty would run four consecutive times gaining only 1 total yard, including a tackle for loss on second down by Sam Kubas and a tackle at the 1-yard line by Lachlan Kalberg on fourth down.
“Whether we’re ahead or behind, I want us trying to compete,” Hemmingsen said. “We’re staying in the game.”
Three plays later, the Dons earned their first first down of the second half on a 3-yard run by quarterback Eli Cooley, but the drive stalled three plays later and Acalanes was forced to send out Mateo Potts for his sixth and final punt.
Mitty took over with 3:54 remaining and milked the clock. Five consecutive runs ended with a 5-yard touchdown scamper by Paxton Magto with 55 seconds left in the game to make it 28-0.
Acalanes alternated quarterbacks in Cooley and James McCallister all game. Cooley finished 8-for-16 with 51 yards and McCallister was 1-for-4 for 9 yards.
Tate Foster led the Dons with 12 yards rushing on eight carries. Kai Harmeyer and Trey Renno each had three receptions for 15 and 13 yards, respectively. Caelen Birrell finished with one catch for 17 yards.
“Mitty’s three inside defensive linemen were big and very good,” Hemmingsen said. “That put a lot of pressure on our offense right out of the gate. We won’t see that caliber again this season. The offensive execution will come, we just faced a tough defensive line, but the offensive line held their own.”
Defensively, Harmeyer also forced a fumble. On the second play of the game. Mitty threw a screen pass to Ludlow, which was stripped and recovered by Harmeyer on the Monarchs’ 31-yard line. Jovani Bordi, Case Feinberg, Beckett Mason and Harmeyer also had a pass breakup each, and Dylan Andersen finished with a tackle for loss.
“Overall, I was pleased with how our defensive played, too,” Hemmingsen said.
Mitty gained 238 yards of total offense, including 118 yards rushing on 25 attempts. Gascon finished 8-for-14 passing for 92 yards and two touchdowns.
“We as coaches know what we need to fix,” Hemmingsen said. “But we’re putting this game behind us.”
CAPTAINS, MY CAPTAINS — Team captains were made official before the game, as Acalanes’ Andersen, Birrell, Cooley and McCallister walked to the center of the field for the pregame coin toss.
SCOUT TEAM PLAYER OF THE WEEK — No. 52 Sam Kubas
NEXT GAME — Acalanes returns to action 5 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 3 at American Canyon.
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Photos by Tiffany Ward
