The glitz and glamour of Monday Night Football traveled to Benicia this week as the Acalanes Dons faced off against the always tough Benicia Panthers.  Panther stadium provides a picturesque setting for a football game with its water front views of the Carquinez Straight.  It took a last second miracle play for the Dons to beat the Panthers last season.  Would this year be any different?

With Senior quarterback Stella Beuchotte under center, the Dons offense was able to move the ball early.  Beuchotte found receivers Ines Coyne and Prime Time June Natal for several early completions.  Junior tailback Isabelle Agnost fought for tough yards on the ground.  Despite being able to move the ball early, it was not until the Dons third drive that they were finally able to break through the Panthers defense.  Starting off in Benicia territory after a not so great punt, Beuchotte found Coyne over the middle for a 25 yard catch and run.  Agnost followed up with a 10 yard gash to set the Dons up in a short, goal to go situation.  On 3rd and 5, Beuchotte found Senior Avery DeMent in the endzone for the touchdown.  The PAT was no good and the Dons were out to a 6-0 lead.  On Benicia’s next drive, a timely sack by pass rusher Ashlyn McCoin led to another Panther punt.  Beuchotte would use both her arm and her legs to move the Dons down the field.  Beuchotte scrambled for 7 before finding DeMent for 8.  A holding call by Panther defenders on Natal set the Dons up deep in Benicia territory.  Beuchotte fired a missile over the middle, finding Coyne in the endzone for the touchdown.  The PAT to Natal was good and the lead extended to 13-0.  The Panthers would not go quietly and struck back with a touchdown before the half.  McCoin sacked the Benicia quarterback on the PAT and at half time the score stood at 13-6.

The second half would see the Dons pull away from the Panthers.  The first drive of the third quarter started with an 8 yard run by Agnost.  Beuchotte then found Natal for a massive 30 yard gain.  Beuchotte followed up with a 20 yard pass to Coyne.  Beuchotte called her own number and ran the ball in for the touchdown.  Beuchotte fired a pass to Coyne for the point after and the Dons were up 20-6.  In this intrepid reporter’s opinion, the game was decided on Benicia’s next offensive possession.  On 4th and 1 from their own 19 yard line, with almost a full half of football to play, the Panther’s coach decided to go for it.  Bad decision.  A short pass attempt was knocked down by a gaggle of Dons defenders.  On the very next play, Beuchotte fired a laser to the endzone to Coyne for the touchdown.  DeMent caught the PAT and the lead was now 27-6.  Despite a sack by Santana Tamayo and a nice pass defensed by Coyne, Benicia would score a touchdown and point after on their next possession to bring the Panthers back to within two scores.  

The offense kicked into high gear on their second to last drive of the game.  Beuchotte found Coyne for 10, ran it herself for 5, then found DeMent for 12.  Agnost ran for 5 before Beuchotte found Natal for a chunk gain of 25.  Beuchotte found Natal again in the endzone for the touchdown.  Natal also grabbed the PAT and the lead extended to 34-13.  

With the game essentially over, Benicia scored a late touchdown before Natal sealed the win on an onside kick attempt with an interception.  Final score Dons 34 Benicia 21.  With the win, the Dons improved to 9-4 on the season and are winners of 5 of their last 6 games.  After over two weeks on the road, the Dons return home for 3 of their final 4 games of the regular season.  Next up for the Dons is a home game against the Concord Bears on Monday night.  See you in the stands!