The Acalanes Dons continued their red hot roll through the North Coast Section Division 2 playoffs with a dominant win in the quarterfinals over the visiting San Marin Mustangs. San Marin came in sporting an 18-3 record, including an undefeated league record of 8-0. The win for the Dons was their 11th in the past 12 games and 7th in a row. The game was played at 1 pm on Halloween and in the spirit of the day, the Dons looked terrifying!
Similar to the game against Campolindo the previous week, this game started with both teams trading possessions, like two prize fighters exchanging jabs, looking for just the right moment to strike. It was San Marin who would land the first blow. The San Marin quarterback hit their star receiver, in stride, over the middle. With an impressive display of speed, the Mustang receiver turned the corner and outran the Don defenders for the long touchdown. The PAT was no good and San Marin was up early 6-0.
The Dons took the punch on the chin like champs. There were no signs of nerves or panic. Instead, senior quarterback Stella Beuchotte orchestrated a methodical drive down the field, landing combination after combination. Beuchotte started by finding fellow senior Avery DeMent for a crisp 6 yard gain. Then Beuchotte found her favorite target, star receiver Ines Coyne for 9, before going back to DeMent for a huge 17 yard completion. 2026 breakout star, Prime Time June Natal was next, hauling in a 15 yard completion. Now, in a goal to go situation, under heavy pressure, Beuchotte lofted a beautiful pass to the right corner of the endzone, over two Mustang defenders, into the waiting arms of Santana Tamayo for the touchdown. Beuchotte found 4 different receivers on the drive. The PAT was no good and the score was knotted at 6.
After forcing a 3 and out on San Marin’s next possession, it was electric running back Isabelle Agnost’s turn to shine. After the punt, the Dons took over at midfield. Agnost took the direct snap and proceeded to break ankles for the next 41 yards before streaking into the endzone for the highlight reel touchdown. Beuchotte fired a dot to Coyne for the PAT and the Dons took the lead 13-6. You could feel the tide of the game shift the Dons way. The defense solidified and the offense was firing on all cylinders. The Dons had landed several heavy punches and San Marin was stunned. On the Dons next possession the offensive highlights continued. Beuchotte handed off to Coyne who danced around several defenders, buying time, before spotting DeMent deep down the field. The pass was high and DeMent made a sensational over the head, two handed catch before being tackled by Mustang defenders. The pass was good for 30 yards with 10 more tacked on for the penalty. Now, just pass midfield, a roughing the passer penalty against the Mustangs pushed the ball down to the 27 yard line. The next play might be the catch of the year. Beuchotte dropped back and fired a pass deep over the middle. Like Jerry Rice in Super Tecmo Bowl (If you know, you know), Coyne, surrounded by Mustang defenders, leaped several feet in the air and made a stunning, two handed, over the head catch before turning and racing into the endzone for the unbelievable score. The sensational touchdown made the score 19-6 at the half.
The Dons started the second half with the ball and picked right back up where they left off. Beuchotte found Coyne for 8 before Agnost ripped off another, ankle busting run of 27 yards. Prime Time Natal snagged a 15 yard completion and was tackled on the play adding 10. Inside the redzone from around the 10 yard line, Beuchotte called her own number and outsprinted the San Marin defenders to the pylon for the score. Beuchotte ran in the PAT for an encore and the rout was on, Dons 26 Mustangs 6.
The dam burst on San Marin’s next possession. The Mustang quarterback fired a pass out into the flat near midfield. Coyne, playing outside linebacker, broke on the ball perfectly and intercepted the pass. Chased by a gaggle of San Marin players, Coyne outran them all for the pick 6. With the score now 32-6 the game was all but over. Coyne would add another interception to end San Marin’s next drive. San Marin scored a meaningless touchdown with under a minute to play with fab freshman, Eloise Kemp, sacking the Mustang quarterback on the point after attempt. Running back Noelle Dobies iced the win by picking up a first down on a 15 yard run allowing the Dons to kneel out the clock. Final score Dons 32 Mustangs 12.
With the win the Dons advanced to the NCS semi-finals for the second straight year. Waiting for them is the Cal Hi Sports Bay area #1 ranked team and still undefeated Las Lomas Knights. At 22-0 the Knights are ranked #23 in the state. Las Lomas won the regular season matchup 18-6. A quick perusal of their schedule shows the reader that this was their lowest point total of the entire season. Can the Dons pull off the miracle win? Tune in Wednesday night at 7 pm from Walnut Creek to find out. See you in the stands!