Rockstar coaches Mike Ivankovich and Joe Escobar took the band on the road this week to play a gig at Monte Vista High School in Alamo.  The Dons were looking for their 3rd win of the week to remain unbeaten for the season. On the the line was the Dons #1 ranking in the North Coast Section.  The Mustangs stadium was tucked away in the Alamo hills which were beautifully silhouetted against a setting sun.  The game was being played on September 11th and the local fire and police departments were having a ceremony in the adjacent park.  One of the fire trucks had its ladder extended to full height, a gorgeous American Flag rippling in the breeze from its peak.  

The game got off to a great start for the visiting Dons.  On Monte Vista’s opening drive, defensive back June Natal made a leaping interception at her own 30 yard line and had a nice return back to midfield.  A few plays later, Ivankovich decided to go for it on a 4th and 7 in Mustang territory.  The gamble paid off as quarterback Ines Coyne, recently featured in the San Francisco Chronicle, hit center Leslie Trowbridge over the middle for a 10 yard gain and a first down.  Later in the drive, Coyne used her legs for a 15 yard scramble into the endzone for the touchdown.  The point after was no good and the Dons led 6-0.  On Monte Vistas’ next drive, defensive back Hazel Raaum had a great knockdown of a Mustang pass to force a 3rd and 4.  The defense held and the Mustangs were forced to punt.  Acalanes’ offense stalled on their next drive and the Mustangs regained possession as the clock wound down on the first quarter.  Monte Vista’s first big break came on a tipped pass.  An Acalanes’ defender made a great play to deflect a pass but the ball tipped up and forward into the arms of another Mustang receiver who scampered for a few more yards to complete a 20 plus yard gain.  The first quarter came to an end with the Mustangs threatening the goal line from the Dons 19 yard line.

The Dons got a break to start the second quarter as the Mustangs quarterback threw a beautiful pass to one of her receivers in the corner of the endzone.  The receiver was running full tilt and could not wrangle in the over the shoulder grab.  One of the early stories of the game was linebacker Avery DeMent.  DeMent seemed to pull every flag on the field.  Another defender having an early impact was senior rusher Julia Munter.  Munter brought consistent pressure on almost every play despite the fact she was often facing not one but two blockers.  The Mustangs made a 4th down gamble later in the quarter and the play was stopped by the seemingly everywhere DeMent to force the turnover on downs.  On Acalanes next possession, the offense would shift into high gear.  Quarterback Coyne had a 20 yard rush.  Coyne hit Trowbridge over the middle again for a nice gain.  On 4th and goal from the one Coyne fired a laser to wide-out Mira Clark who pulled in the pass for the touchdown.  Not satisfied with just the TD, Clark out-muscled a defender to snag the point after putting the Dons up 13-0.  The defense came up huge on the Mustangs next drive.  Munter exploded into the backfield on back to back plays.  The first was a tackle of the Mustang running back to force a 2nd and 16.  The next play was a sack by Munter of the Monte Vista quarterback to force a 3rd and 18.  The Mustangs would be forced to punt.  On the Dons final drive of the half a tipped pass led to an interception which gave Monte Vista time for 2 plays.  They tried helplessly to heave the ball into the endzone but the pressure up front and the blanket coverage by the secondary saw the half come to an end with the score still 13-0.

 

The remaining half would test the endurance and resolve of the visiting Dons.  The fatigue from playing 3 games in 4 days was beginning to show.  In contrast, the Mustangs seemed to become more energized as the game reached its later stages.  The Monte Vista quarterback looked quicker and her passes were more sharp and accurate.  Not to fear!  The Dons showed their grit and a will to win that would not be denied!  Highlights from the second half included a long 18 yard pass to Clark, Coyne continuing to use her legs to get chunks of yards, and Munter’s relentless assault on the Mustang backfield.  The Dons defense stopped a 4th and goal from the 9 to force a turnover on downs to keep the Mustangs off the scoreboard.  The final drive of the game saw the Dons run out the clock for their 6th consecutive win and 3rd of the week to remain unbeaten.  

The game against Monte Vista was particularly challenging because of the mental and physical toll of the huge game the night before against the highly rated College Park Falcons.  And THAT is ignoring the last second win against Benicia on Monday.  What a week!! This win was not the prettiest, but it demonstrated that even when the girls were physically and emotionally drained, they could still dig deep and will themselves to victory.  Next up for the Dons is another Monday Night Football game on 9/15 at the Concord Bears. Go Dons!