“Smooth seas do not make skillful sailors.”

There was nothing smooth about Friday’s voyage against St. Ignatius. The Wildcats arrived 2-0 with a team that was big, fast and physical, particularly along both lines of scrimmage. By halftime, they had built a 28-0 lead, and while the Dons steadied themselves considerably after the break, St. Ignatius ultimately left with a 35-0 victory.

It was the kind of game that offers few places to hide, but perhaps plenty from which to learn.

From the opening possessions, the Wildcats’ defensive front made life extraordinarily difficult. Running lanes disappeared almost as soon as they appeared, and Dons ball carriers frequently found themselves greeted not by a tackler, but by a committee. As the announcer repeatedly observed, the Acalanes running game was persistently being met by a “pack of Wildcats.”

Still, there were flashes.

Luke Kelly provided several of them, breaking loose on big kickoff returns that repeatedly gave the Dons improved field position. Kelly also connected with Will Feinstein for some of Acalanes’ better gains through the air and contributed on defense with tackles both at the line and in the backfield.

The offensive line deserves credit for giving the Dons some opportunities to produce plays against an aggressive and focused front. Jay Lifson and Andre Lewis managed some chunk gains on the ground, although St. Ignatius swarmed quickly enough that the yards after contact that have fueled the Dons in earlier games were much harder to come by. Both were also disruptive on defense and worked throughout the game to inject some energy into their teammates.

The Dons also welcomed back Lelan Stone after his time with the Varsity squad, and Stone quickly made his presence felt, both with his play on the field and the energy and camaraderie he brought to the sideline.

The defense did have moments worth building upon. Lucas Leingang delivered multiple key tackles, including a particularly nifty solo tackle and multiple additional takedowns alongside teammates. And Salvo Coniglio was among the Dons making plays around the line of scrimmage, including a smashing play for a big loss. The Acalanes front also came up with multiple fourth-down stops, no small accomplishment against a St. Ignatius offense whose size and physicality presented a challenge throughout the afternoon.

Perhaps the most encouraging development came after halftime. A game that could easily have gotten even further away from the Dons never did. After surrendering 28 points in the first half, Acalanes allowed only one more touchdown after the break. The defense settled in, competed and kept taking swings.

The offense, however, never found the answer to the Wildcats’ front. St. Ignatius consistently disrupted plays before they could develop and continuously pressured the quarterback. Acalanes simply could not consistently move the chains to put points on the board.

There is no need to pretend that 35-0 was anything other than a difficult evening. But JV football is supposed to be about development, and development does not always arrive wrapped in touchdowns and celebrations. Sometimes it arrives wearing a different-colored jersey, outweighing you across the line of scrimmage and providing a rather emphatic list of things to work on that Monday.

Afterward, Head Coach Nat Beeman initially offered perhaps the most efficient postgame analysis in Dons reporting history: “No comment.”

He then paused and softly added the part that mattered.

“The boys need to do some soul searching for who they want to be.”

Friday provided plenty to think about. Now the Dons go back to work, with another game and another opportunity to show what they learned just around the corner.

Friday provided plenty to think about. Now the Dons go back to work, with another game and another opportunity to show what they learned just around the corner.

Reporting from the sideline, where Alden’s dad is beginning to wonder why nobody has yet proposed an inaugural end-of-season co-ed Dons vs. Parents flag football game. Strictly in the interest of player development, of course.