The Bay Area is well versed in legendary passing attacks on the football field. From Montana to Rice, Young to Owens, those of a certain age have had the privilege of watching these masters of the passing game in action. On Thursday night at Acalanes Stadium, the Dons unleashed a legendary passing performance of their own.
On a chilly, windy night under the lights, the Dons took the field in their beautiful blue jerseys with white slashes. The Dons were hoping to improve to 3-0 on the season. Freedom sported a retro look with their tough, old school, padded helmets. The game started slowly with both teams forced to punt on their opening drives. The first big break came on a 3rd down pass attempt by Freedom in their own territory. Ines Coyne stepped in front of the pass for the early interception and gave the Dons excellent field position at the Falcons own 21 yard line. A few plays later, now quarterback Coyne, ran a sprint right from the 4 yard line into the endzone for the touchdown. The point after was no good and the Dons led 6-0. The Dons defense forced Freedom to punt and the Dons started their next drive on their own 25. In an early gamble, Coach Ivankovich decided to go for it on 4th and 1 on the Dons own half of the field. The gamble paid off with Coyne firing a strike to receiver Maya Shoenhair in the right flat for a 10 yard gain. This was an early portent of things to come. The clock ran out on the first quarter with the score 6-0 in favor of the Dons.
The drive continued in the second quarter with the gambler Ivankovich again deciding to go for it on a 4th down and 9 on the Freedom half of the field. Coyne completed a short pass but it was not enough for the first and the Dons turned the ball over on downs. Freedom showed their aggressive side on the ensuing drive. The Falcons went for it on 4th and 2 near midfield. Their plans were dashed by rusher Stella Mason who burst past several blockers and sacked the quarterback for a loss forcing a turnover on downs. The Dons could not capitalize on the ensuing drive and gave the ball back to Freedom. Penalties would cost the Dons big yards on the Falcons next drive. Multiple personal foul calls against the Dons defense for aggressive, but well intentioned, plays helped the Falcons move down the field. It was all for naught though. Just as the Falcons were threatening on the Dons half of the field, defensive back Leah Roth swooped in for an interception to end the Falcon threat at the 25 yard line.
What happened next broke the game wide open. Coyne completed a short pass to sophomore running back Isabelle Agnost. Agnost, like she was strapped to an Apollo rocket, prepared for blast-off. Agnost cut across the center of the field, accelerated to ludicrous speed, and left every Falcon defender in a cloud of smoke. 55 yards later, Agnost was standing in the endzone surrounded by her jubilant teammates. The point after was a quick pass to receiver Mira Clark and the Dons lead increased to 13-0. The energy level shift was palpable. The defense forced a quick 3 and out and return-man June Natal fielded the punt and ran it all the way back to the Falcon 25 yard line. It was time to let the football fly. On 4th down from the Falcon 25 yard line, Coyne launched a Montana-esque, arching spiral into the outstretched arms of Shoenhair, hitting her in stride for the highlight reel touchdown. The crowd went nuts. Coyne ran the ball in for the point after and the Dons lead increased to 20-0 at the half.
The explosive plays continued to start the 3rd quarter. Natal made an amazing, shoe string catch for a first down to midfield. Coyne added a 20 yard run to put the Dons in scoring position. On 4th and 9 Coyne’s throw was just wide of the intended target Clark. Never fear, the Dons stellar defense forced another 3 and out which led to one of the most beautiful plays of the night. The Falcon punter launched a booming kick deep into Dons’ territory. Return-man Natal, racing backwards, made an over the shoulder catch reminiscent of Willie Mays in center field. Natal reversed direction with a quick 180, turned on the jets, and from her own 20 ran the ball back to the opponents 35. It was a spectacular play. On first and goal from the 19, the air attack continued. Coyne launched another arcing spiral to Shoenhair down the right seam. Shoenhair snagged the pigskin for her second touchdown of the night. The point after was no good and the Dons lead now stood at 26-0.
At the start of the 4th quarter the game was in hand but the fireworks were not over. The Dons defense forced a turnover on downs near midfield. For the 3rd time of the evening, this time facing the north endzone, Coyne launched a laser guided missile 30 yards that found the hands of Shoenhair at the 3 yard line, who waltzed into the right corner of the endzone. It was an exclamation point on a magnificent night for Coyne and Shoenhair. Clark snagged another pass from Coyne for her second PAT of the night and the score stood at 33-0. The Falcons had one last gasp that ended in an interception by sure handed linebacker Amelia Riley. Coyne knelt on the ball and the game was over.
The Dons improved their record to 3-0 and have not allowed a touchdown yet this season. The offense put on a dazzling display of explosive plays that thrilled the home crowd. The stat lines for the Dons were impressive. Coyne finished with 181 yards passing, 58 yards rushing, a touchdown on the ground and 4 through the air. Shoenhair finished with 5 receptions for 105 yards and 3 touchdowns. Agnost finished with 97 total yards from scrimmage and a touchdown. Clark added two receptions, both on point-afters. Special shout out to the varsity girls volleyball team who came out and encouraged their fellow Dons with some amazing cheers. The preparation and coaching of Ivankovich, Joe Escobar and their staff continues to impress. Next up for the Dons is an extremely busy schedule with games against Benicia, College Park and Monte Vista all slated for next week. Go Dons!
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