Acalanes JV 26, Benicia 0 | November 6, 2026

“Set the tempo early!” urged Head Coach Nat Beeman as the Dons prepared to take the field for their final game of the season against the Benicia Panthers. He followed with another familiar refrain: “Six seconds at a time!”

The Dons apparently took both instructions quite literally. Riding the momentum of their thrilling victory over crosstown rival Campolindo the previous week, Acalanes delivered its most complete performance of the season, dominating on offense, defense, and special teams en route to a convincing 26-0 shutout. Two consecutive wins, a jubilant home crowd, and a befittingly upbeat conclusion to a season that had demanded plenty of perseverance.

The festivities began with the players charging through a rousing parent-created tunnel and bursting through a celebratory paper banner. Then, following the conclusion of the National Anthem, Will Feinstein blasted the opening kickoff into the end zone, and the on-field action began.

The defense immediately announced its bold intentions. Lelan Stone delivered a punishing tackle on the first offensive play of the game for a five-yard loss, and Aiden Jeffrey followed with a fan-favorite trifecta: a sack, forced fumble, and recovery. Two plays later, Feinstein connected with Stone for a touchdown, and the Dons were off to the races, leading 6-0.

It previewed what would become a thoroughly satisfying afternoon.

The Dons’ defense, a team strength throughout the season, was positively smothering. On the next Benicia drive, Jackson Cooper delivered a strong tackle, Stone Jaquet broke up a pass, and Kanishka Giridhar contributed one of the season’s most impressive sacks. Benicia punted and the Dons quickly were back on offense  at the 45-yard-line following a nice return by Luke Kelly.

Cooper contributed on offense with and 8-yard-catch and Andre Lewis did what Lewis does so well: rumbling through defenders, moving the chains, and making modest opportunities considerably more productive. Zenai Kaplanes-Jones made a nifty catch to set up a first and ten in the red zone.  With first and 10 on the Benicia 11-yard-line, Feinstein, demonstrating that his talents extend well beyond his throwing arm and kicking leg, added a dazzling touchdown run, breaking multiple tackles along the way and extending the lead to 12-0.

But the Dons weren’t finished; indeed, they were just warming up.

Another good kickoff and return started the Benicia drive at its own 32-yard line. But three straight incomplete passes set up fourth and ten and forced a punt. Or at least a punt attempt. The Benicia snap was poor, and the punter was taken down by Stone, giving the Dons fantastic field position at the Benicia 21-yard line.

After a spectacular Luke Kelly touchdown run was erased by a penalty, Kelly promptly shook it off and recovered the lost yardage and more on an impressive switchback run, bringing the Dons to the five-yard line. He punched it in on his next touch for another Dons touchdown. A successful extra point, courtesy of a clean snap by Salvatore Coniglio to his brother (a freshman), who was holding (how cool is that!), made it 19-0.

Benicia mounted a late first-half threat, aided by an impressive kickoff return and penalties, but Jeffrey delivered another huge sack, and Stone recovered a fumble to preserve the shutout heading into halftime.

The second half brought more of the same. Lewis continued his determined running, Feinstein scrambled for another first down, and Kelly contributed another nifty gain before suffering an injury that ended his afternoon. Kelly has been a genuine spark-plug for the Dons all season, contributing as a receiver, runner, returner, and defender. Here’s hoping for a full and speedy recovery.

The Dons also welcomed back Mateo Valenzuela, whose return after missing multiple games with an injury was a particularly welcome sight. Valenzuela made his presence felt throughout the afternoon; on this drive, he helped move the offense into scoring position, and Lewis eventually powered into the end zone. With the extra point, Acalanes led 26-0.

And then came perhaps the afternoon’s finest bend-but-don’t-break defensive statement.

Benicia advanced to the Acalanes three-yard line, threatening to spoil the shutout. But the Dons would have none of it. The defensive front stuffed the first-down run, Anthony Bishop and Jeffrey helped turn back another run attempt, and the secondary continued to battle as Benicia tried to find a way through. On third dwon, the secondary forced a big incompletion that was nearly picked off by Cooper. On forth down Alden Sturm made a big tackle, aided by yet another punishing hit by Cooper, to force a welcomed turnover on downs and send Benicia’s offense to the sidelines.

Deep in Don territory, Lewis promptly electrified the crowd with a dazzling run, turning what looked like an ordinary rushing attempt into a 50-plus-yard, two-man sprint toward the end zone. The Panthers eventually caught him, but not before he had advanced the ball deep downfield.

This was a true team effort. Sam Spicer contributed repeatedly on defense and special teams.  Coniglio expertly handled long-snapping duties, while Benicia long-snap miscues highlighted the importance of his key regrettably unheralded role. Konstantine Zahn had repeated chain-moving catches.  And Harrison Clark, Isaac Grinshpun, DJ McClellan, and August Van Ornum made their presence felt in the trenches and on special teams with an A+ performance. Samson Salvador and Beau Tandler were majestic rocks on both lines, yet again helping make possible the offensive success and defensive dominance that defined the afternoon.

Declan Krause provided one stirring final flourish with a terrific punt return, flashing speed, moves, and considerable confidence. It was a fitting exclamation point to conclude a compelling and inspiring performance by all.

A special finale game ball from this correspondent goes to Feinstein, whose touchdown pass, touchdown run, booming kickoffs, and two touchdown-saving tackles illustrated just how much one player can contribute across all three phases.

But this final report deserves to recognize something beyond Friday’s refreshing scoreboard.

The 2026 JV Dons faced an extraordinarily challenging schedule, endured their share of disheartening injuries, adjusted to unfamiliar positions and next-man-up needs, and experienced plenty of frustrating afternoons and heartbreaking finishes. Through it all, Head Coach Nat Beeman and his dedicated coaching staff of Herson Enerio, Francisco Trejo, Matt Hudson, and Preston Rosenbaum kept encouraging, teaching, and challenging these young men to improve, take accountability and ultimately grow together as a team.

And they did.

The defense became a formidable unit. The special teams became a genuine weapon. The offense found its rhythm. And, perhaps most importantly, the players showed up for one another, and had each other’s backs, even when the results weren’t going their way.

The final two games offered a particularly satisfying reward for that persistence. First came the emotional breakthrough against Campolindo. Then came Friday’s emphatic victory over Benicia, with the Dons putting all the pieces together.

Thanks to Coach Beeman and the entire coaching staff, the parents and guardians who supported the team, the volunteers who made game days possible, and especially the players who gave us so much to cheer about. And best wishes for a full recovery to the many Dons who battled injuries along the way.

Alden’s dad is signing off for the season, grateful to Kelly McClellan and Susan Kelly for the opportunity to chronicle this terrific group of young men and particularly pleased that the Dons saved some of their finest football for last. The season may be over, but the memories, friendships, and bragging rights from two consecutive victories should carry nicely into the varsity post-season and their offseason regimen. Go Dons!