The Dons traveled to Livermore on Thursday night to take on the Granada Matadors. Granada, like Acalanes, reached the NCS Championship game the year before only to come up short against San Ramon Valley in their quest for a section title. The first ever meeting between these two teams would prove to be a surprisingly entertaining, defensive stalemate, that would ultimately be decided by an amazing punt and subsequent safety. The final score? 2 – 0. Yes, you read that correctly. For such a low scoring game there were plenty of highlights, trick plays, weird penalties and late drama. On to the action!
The game started off with the two flag-football heavy weights feinting and jabbing, neither side willing or able to land a big punch. Early highlights included QB/LB Ines Coyne making her presence felt on the defensive side of the ball with numerous flag pulls. Fab freshman, Eloise Kemp, had a shifty punt return from the Dons own 5 yard line out to the 18 to get Acalanes out of immediate danger. Granada landed the first body blow on a punt return. The Granada returner made the catch around her own 20, raced towards the far sideline, then handed the ball off to a second returner who raced back across the field towards the near sideline. Acalanes defenders adjusted but not before the trickplay had advanced the ball across midfield. On the ensuing drive there was a bizarre third down penalty called against both teams. The stadium announcer was unable to understand the referee’s explanation of what penalties had actually occurred and with an exasperated chuckle, everyone in the stands agreed with the decision to just replay the down. The Granada drive was stalled when emerging pass rush star, Ashlyn McCoin, had a flag pull on the Matador running back for a loss of 5, followed by defensive captain Avery DeMent getting the pull on 4th down for the kill.
The Dons offense would start to come alive towards the end of the first quarter. Starting at their own 28 yard line, Coyne hit Santana Tamayo for 10, ran it herself for 2 to grab a first down, and then found her favorite target of 2026, Prime Time June Natal, for 10 more to get the ball down to the Granada 30. All night the Dons would exhibit the ability to move the ball down the field but Granada’s defense would hold strong as the Dons approached the endzone. A false start penalty would set the Dons back and, choosing to try and win the field position battle, the Dons would punt. On Granada’s next drive, Malory Decredico and Stelle Buechotte, would assert their dominance with multiple flag pulls and force the Matadors to punt.
As the second quarter rolled on, the Dons decided to reach into their bag of tricks. After a 10 yard penalty against Granada for tackling running back Isabelle Agnost, the Dons executed a reverse pass for a big gain. Coyne took the snap and rolled to her left. Beuchotte, lined up in the slot, raced towards Coyne and took the pitch. Beuchotte rolled to her right and with the defense crashing down, launched a deep pass to Tamayo who was wide open, resulting in a 35 yard gain. Granada, like before, was able to absorb the powerful uppercut and remain steady on their feet. A Granada defender made a nice, leaping interception in the endzone to keep the Dons off the scoreboard. Before the half, Prime Time Natal would return a punt for 15 yards and Coyne would slash the Matador defense on a 20 yard run but the score would remain 0 – 0.
The second half started with McCoin picking up where she left off. McCoin almost single handedly ended Granada’s opening drive with a sack and a pressure to force an incomplete pass. The Dons had a promising drive in the middle of the 3rd quarter. Coyne hit Natal for 15 yards. Coyne ran for a few before Agnost picked up a first down. The drive would end with a Granada interception.
The game would be decided in the 4th quarter. The Dons had to this point moved the ball reasonably well between the 20s but had been unable to punch it into the endzone. Granada had not demonstrated the ability to move the ball at all and was clearly playing the field position game, hoping for a break. The break Granada was looking for would come on one of their own punts. Stymied by the Dons defense, Granada punted from around midfield. The ball would hit the ground and roll out of bounds at the Acalanes own 3 yard line, pinning the Dons deep. In flag football there are no offensive lines and physically running the ball up the middle, the usual strategy in tackle football for this type of situation, is not an option. Granada had an excellent pass rusher and she was able to pull Coyne’s flag in the endzone for the safety, the first and only score of the game. Adding insult to injury, because of the safety, the Dons were forced to punt the ball back to Granada.
The Dons would not go quietly into that good night. After a sack of the Matadors quarterback by Coyne, Beuchotte would intercept a pass at the Granada 22 yard line. A stiff 10 yard holding penalty would set the drive back and again, the Granada defense would hold. The Dons had one last chance to take the win on their final drive. Coyne hit Beuchotte for a 30 yard gain. Granada defenders resorted to tackling Beuchotte adding 10 yards to the play. Coyne then hit Beuchotte for 15 more to set up the Dons with a first and goal from the 18 with around a minute left. However, thanks to excellent pressure, Granada was able to seal the win with a pick.
The takeaway from the game for this intrepid reporter was that the Dons more than competed against a very good, division 1 opponent who figures to be a factor for the section championship this year. The Dons had more explosive plays and opportunities. Even though the score was 2-0, this was the Acalanes defense’s 4th shutout in 5 games. Competing against good teams makes you better and the Dons will walk away from this game with a wealth of new experience that will serve them well in the weeks ahead. Next up for the Dons is a home game against the College Park Falcons on Wednesday night. The Falcons are 3-0 and always tough. The Dons took last year’s matchup and will look to make it two in a row against the Falcons. See you in the stands. Go Dons!