The North Coast Section playoffs continued on Thursday night with a rematch between the #2 seed Acalanes Dons and their crosstown rivals, the #10 seed Campolindo Cougars.  The two teams met a little over a week ago in the regular season finale with the Dons taking home a convincing 40-6 win.  However, as the old saying goes, it is hard to beat a team twice in football.  This game would be much more gritty and competitive than the previous meeting.  The evening was chilly and the lights were bright.  Let’s get to the action.

The Cougars and Dons traded punts on their respective first possessions, an early sign that this game would not be one-sided like their previous matchup.  The Dons offense finally kicked into gear on their second possession which started on the Campo 37 yard line.  Dynamic, dual threat quarterback Ines Coyne logged the first entry on the stat sheet with an elusive 20 yard scramble through the middle of the defense and had 10 more tacked on for an illegal holding call against the defense.  Coyne then fired a short strike to the wiley senior, Maya Shoenhair for a pick up of 5.  On 3rd and goal from the 9, Coyne ran the option with halfback Isabelle Agnost around the left side to perfection.  Coyne cut vertically up the field, drew in the defenders, and at the last second, pitched to Agnost who raced the final few yards untouched into the endzone for the touchdown. Dons 6 Cougars 0.

Prime time players make prime time plays.  On Campo’s next possession, the Cougar’s strong-armed quarterback launched a deep pass down the left sideline.  Electric cornerback June Prime Time Natal made a great play on the ball, tipping it up into the air, and into the waiting arms of fellow defensive black Leah Roth for the interception.  Roth swerved through Campolindo players and was finally tackled at the Campo 21 yard line.  A short time later, Coyne handed off to Agnost around the right side and like we’ve seen her do so many times before, Agnost left defenders in the dust and streaked into the right corner of the endzone for her second touchdown of the game and 20th of the season.  Dons 12 Cougars 0.  Stellar defensive plays on Campo’s next drive included a great pull for no gain by linebacker Stella Beuchotte and a sack by the super senior, Julia Munter.  The first quarter came to an end with the Dons firmly in control….but would it stay that way?

In the second quarter the Cougars would go on the march, eating up yardage and the clock on a 14 play drive that tested the resolve of the Dons defense and the nerves of their anxious parents.  The drive saw numerous gains by the Campo QB, a great flag pull by Munter for no gain, multiple pulls for a loss by Coyne, and yet, the Cougars still moved relentlessly down the field thanks to the swift legs and strong arm of their quarterback.  After what seemed like an eternity, the drive reached its climax on a 4th and goal from the 1 yard line.  A score by the Cougars would instantly change the dynamic of the game and put the Cougars within one score of the lead.  On the fateful play, pash rush specialist Malory DeCredico stormed into the backfield, eluded the Campo runningback’s attempt at a block, and using every ounce of speed and skill she possessed, chased down the Cougar quarterback from behind for the drive-killing sack.  The amazing play kept the Cougars off the board and the Dons firmly in control.  A few plays later, the half would come to an end with the Dons still out in front 12 – 0.

To start the 3rd quarter, the Dons embarked on their own epic march down the field.  Acalanes put together a clock chewing, 15 play drive with multiple 4th down conversions.  Agnost for 8, Shoenhair with a catch for 6, a Coyne scramble for 18, the Dons just kept finding ways to move the chains.  On the first 4th down conversion of the drive, the Dons faced a 4th and 2 near midfield.  Using a bit of trickery and a silent count, the Dons offense stood motionless while center Leslie Trowbridge snapped the ball directly to Munter who was in at running back.  With the defense caught off guard, Munter was able to gain the necessary yardage and keep the drive alive.  The legs of Coyne would convert another 4th down and a short time later Coyne added another 15 to get the Dons down to the Campo 4 yard line.  One 3rd and goal, Coyne fired a shovel pass to junior superstar Avery DeMent for the touchdown. Coyne added the PAT and after three quarters the Dons lead was a solid 19-0.  

The fourth quarter saw a tough back and fourth between both teams with neither able to make much headway.  Prime Time Natal had another huge play in the secondary to knock down a Cougar pass on a 4th and 4 attempt.  DeMent had a beautiful punt that came to rest inside the Campolindo 5 yard line.  The Cougars, undeterred by the poor field position, were able to flip the field on a 3rd and 18 when the Cougar QB launched a 40 yard pass that put Campolindo inside the Dons redzone.  The outcome of the game had already been determined but Lamorinda pride was on the line.  The Cougars wanted to score, the Dons wanted the shutout.  Over the next four plays, the Cougars crept closer and closer to the endzone.  On 3rd and goal from the 10, newly minted varsity linebacker Lauren Gallagher made a touchdown saving flag pull at the 3 yard line.  For an encore, Gallagher did it again on 4th down, denying the Cougars the endzone and keeping the shutout intact.  Chants of, “She’s a freshman!” rang out from the Don’s sideline.  The Dons knelt on the ball and the game was over.  

With the win, for the first time in program history, the Dons advanced to the North Coast Section semi-finals Tuesday night.  The Dons will host the #3 seed St. Mary’s Panthers who bring with them a spotless record of 20 wins and no losses.  The Dons fear no team but their opponents had better FEAR THE BLUE!