Dana Hemmingsen was in the middle of a time-honored Thanksgiving tradition — sitting on the couch watching football. Next to him, taking up a majority of the space on the couch, was his high-school aged granddaughter’s boyfriend, Bethel Imasuen. “I think I’d like to play football,” Imausen told Hemmingsen. At the time, Imausen was a junior in his first year…
A warm breeze blew across the sky over Freedom High School as the home team Falcons prepared to face the visiting Dons. With its grass covered hills and long vistas, Oakley provided almost a midwestern setting for this Monday night match up. In their crisp, away whites, the Dons were looking to continue their hot start to the season after…
Welcome to the Varsity Girls Tennis 2026 Season! Last season, the team finished 4th in the DAL Foothill Division with a record of 4-6 and an overall record of 7-7. The were defeated by Irvington High School in the first round of the NCS playoffs. Although the team graduated two Second Team All DAL Foothill Division doubles players (Lauren Foster…
Acalanes’ 2nd-ever JV flag football team was formed at the end of the first week of school and features 6 sophomores and 19 freshmen. The large roster reflects the continued strong growth in this sport nationwide. The team jumped right into a scrimmage against Castro Valley on their very first day of the following week followed by two practices to…
The 2026 flag football season kicked off Thursday night for the Dons with an away game against Piedmont High School. Piedmont, a small enclave nestled in the Oakland hills, provided a picturesque setting for the first game of the year. The Highlanders were coming off a 5-13 campaign in 2025 and the schedule makers did them no favors by scheduling…
This fall marks the 4th season of girls flag football at Acalanes High School. Over the past four years, coaches Mike Ivankovich and Joe Escobar, have developed the program from a scrappy group of a dozen or so girls who captured the first ever Diablo Athletic League title, into a full fledged, varsity and junior varsity program, with almost 50…
The defending 2025 DAL Champions aren’t slowing down. While summer is a break from school, it’s one of the busiest times of the year for Acalanes Football. Players are in the weight room, training together, and preparing for the 2026 season, which kicks off in August. Acalanes Football is more than one team. It’s one program with Freshman, JV, and…
The Acalanes Sports Boosters proudly applaud Coach of the Year, Coach Blue — Joel Isaac — as honored by the East Bay Times and Bay Area News Group. Through a season defined by change and challenge, Isaac steadied a talented roster, united his players with purpose and resilience, and guided Acalanes to yet another remarkable campaign. For his leadership, preparation, and vision,…
Under absolutely perfect running conditions: cool temperatures, sunshine, and a mild, refreshing breeze, the stage was set e for an unforgettable day of competition. ACA Varsity Boys powered through grass, dirt, flats, and brutal hills to earn an incredible 16th place finish among 209 runners in the Division 4 race. Leading the charge was Harry Zimmerman, who surged through the…
The Acalanes Dons didn’t just play football this year; they authored a story of heart, unity, and community pride that stretched far beyond the white lines of the field. League champions, undefeated and bumped up to Division 1 in the NCS playoffs, the Dons fought like giants all season long. And even when their historic run ended in a tough…