The Avengers, led by 2025 standout quarterback Ines Coyne and dominant defender Avery DeMent, assembled in Pleasant Hill on Wednesday night to face down one of their biggest tormentors from the 2024 season. Last year, College Park was one of the best teams in the North Coast Section with an overall record of 22-5. They entered the contest against Acalanes with an unblemished 3-0 record and impressive film. But as we have seen so far this year, the Dons have a sensational defense that keeps them in every game and the ability to make plays at the most important moments.
Defense was the story of the first quarter as the two heavy weights jabbed and blocked each other’s every move. The Dons’ defense was buoyed by the return of super senior Julia Munter who had missed the last several games due to injury. Munter made her presence felt early, applying consistent pressure to the Falcons quarterback. The Dons stopped the Falcons on a 4th down attempt to force a turnover on downs. The Falcons returned the favor on the ensuing drive when Coyne, on 4th and 4, was stopped a foot short of the line to gain. On College Park’s next drive, rusher Malory DeCredico had a huge sack to force a 3rd down and 26. Unable to convert, the Falcons were forced to punt. On the Dons next possession Coach Ivankovich decided to go for it again on a 4th and 1 near midfield but the pass from Coyne fell incomplete. The Falcons got the ball and a costly roughing the passer call against the Dons defense gave the Falcons 10 free yards to end the first quarter. At the end of one the score was tied 0-0.
The second quarter started off well for the Falcons. On a 4th and 4 from the Dons’ 24 yard line the Falcon QB hit star receiver Brady Lyons for a 24 yard touchdown. This was the first touchdown allowed by the Dons’ defense in 5 games. The point after was no good and for the first time all season, the Dons trailed 6-0. Acalanes’ offense had trouble moving the ball early. Able to gain small chunks, the big plays eluded them. A quick 3 and out gave the ball back to College Park. The Falcons drove the length of the field and on a 4th and goal from the 10 the Dons defense held firm, stopping the drive at the 2 yard line. On the next offensive drive for the Dons it looked like tragedy had struck. Quarterback Coyne ran for 8 yards and went down awkwardly. After trying to get up Coyne went back to the ground. Backup quarterback June Natal quickly started warming up and came into the game with Coyne’s status in question. Natal handed off to running back Isabelle Agnost who had a nice gain of 11 yards. Natal ran the option and kept it for a few more yards and on their third 4th down attempt of the night the Dons were yet again stopped short. The Falcons took over but their drive stalled and at half time the score remained Falcons 6 Dons 0.
In the second half Coyne was able to return to the field looking no worse for wear. The game would become a battle of will and clever coaching adjustments. After a quick 3 and out by the Dons offense the Falcons took over. The College Park drive was effectively killed by a huge sack from linebacker Santana Tamayo to force a 3rd and 28. The Dons offense would come alive on the following drive. On 4th and 4 Coyne hit receiver Maya Shoenhair for a 10 yard gain and a first down near the Falcon endzone. The Falcons had been stacking the box the entire game to try and contain the Dons’ running back Agnost. Coaches Ivankovich and Escobar decided to reach into their bag of tricks. Coyne handed off to Agnost on a sweep to the right. The entire Falcons’ defense crashed down to the line of scrimmage. As she neared the far sideline, Agnost pulled up and lofted a perfect pass over the heads of the helpless College Park defenders right to Tamayo who was wide open in the endzone for the touchdown. The visitors’ bleachers and the Dons’ sideline went nuts. The point after attempt was no good and the score was now tied 6-6.
College Park started the 4th quarter with the ball. Their drive would not last long. Coyne, now showing her versatility and all around skill on the defensive side of the ball, stepped in front of a Falcon pass for the interception. After a nice return of around 20 yards the Dons were set up at the Falcons’ own 21 yard line. Using a combination of Agnost and Coyne, the offense worked its way down to the 3 yard line and on 4th and goal Coyne scrambled into the endzone for the touchdown, completing the drive that her interception had started. For an encore, Coyne ran in the point after to make the score 13-6 in favor of the Dons. On the ensuing drive, the dominating DeMent put an end to College Park’s hopes for victory. DeMent picked off an errant Falcon pass giving possession back to the Dons with very little time remaining. The Dons were able to run out the clock and seal the win.
This game meant a lot to the team. College Park has been the gold standard of the Diablo Athletic League the past couple of years and it was a huge confidence boost for the girls to know that they can not only compete but defeat such a worthy opponent. The win over such a highly ranked, undefeated opponent boosted the still undefeated Dons to the #1 ranking in the North Coast Section. Enjoy it for one day because on Thursday night the Dons put their #1 ranking on the line against the Mustangs of Monte Vista. Go Dons!
This article was written by Chat GP- Me