10/27/09
Defense Returns to Form for Dons
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Griffen Denies Cal Touchdown
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Pleasanton, Calif.--The Amador Dons Junior Varsity Football team lost to the California High School Grizzlies 0-10. The Dons continued to struggle offensively but their hard-nosed defense resurfaced in a physical game.
In the first quarter, Cal featured it's talented running back tandem of Kevin Ezebuiro and Markus Tungol, attempting to pound away at the Dons line. The Dons bent but didn't break, allowing a long drive but holding the Grizzlies to a field goal after defensive back Jacob Peinado knocked away a pass on third and four at the Dons 15 yard line. Linebackers Carter Ridgway, Jarod Graves, and Nick Griffen contributed stops on the drive.
Peinado made an impressive return of the ensuing kickoff to the Amador 41 yard line. Dons receiver Mitch Worsey hauled in a 7-yard reception on first down but the Dons were stopped cold after the initial gain.
Cal's following drive extended into the second quarter. The Dons ended the Cal drive on third and fourteen at the Cal 21 yard line. The beefy Ezebuiro ran a sweep to the left and was met with a staggering hit by Griffen whose helmet flew off on contact. Linebacker Nate Marks came in to assist with the tackle.
After a muffed punt and resulting turnover, the Dons defense took to the field again. Cal sought to reestablish the running game with a sweep on first down but a nice pursuit and tackle by safety Evan Gum held the Grizzlies to a one-yard gain. However, the Grizzlies managed to string together several big gains on a pass and a pair of 22-yard runs culminating in the only touchdown of the game. With five minutes left in the half, Cal led 10-0.
Amador went three and out on their next offensive series and once again faced the task of shutting down the Cal offense. Cal put together another strong and balanced attack, overcoming a holding penalty, and driving from their own 28 to the Dons' 13. Defensive backs Daniel Wessel and Simeon Comenesque made tackles to hold Cal to small gains.
On the final play of the half, Cal quarterback Kevin Farley threw into the end zone to his tight end, Cooper Jensen. Griffen tracked the pass and knocked the ball away before it could reach its target. Wessel intercepted the tipped pass and the Dons took the touchback.
The second half began with another Dons three and out. The Dons defense was unfazed by the team's offensive struggles, however, and did a great job controlling the line of scrimmage.
The Dons held the Grizzlies to short gains on the first series with two strong tackles by lineman Corben Barnett and Griffen and a pass defensed by Worsey. The Dons' misfortunes continued on offense with an interception on the next drive and the defense doggedly took the field once again. With strong tackling by Graves, Gum, Griffen, and Wessel, Amador contained Cal as the third quarter ended.
The Dons offense showed a spark in the fourth quarter on the legs of quarterback Gerald Seals. Seals made a few short gains on the Dons next possession and showed that there was still life in the Dons attack.
Defensively the Dons continued to play well, shutting down the Cal offense. Marks notched a sack on Cal's following drive. Griffen blitzed on the next play and forced an early pass by Farley to a receiver in the left flat. Gum was there to tackle the receiver for no gain and forced a punt on fourth down.
The Dons last gasp offensively was fueled by the running of the elusive Seals and speedy Comenesque. Seals cut through the Cal defense for an 11-yard gain and Comenesque ran for 18 behind a strong block by running back Ridgway. The Dons drive ended with a fumble at the five yard line, ending their final scoring threat. |
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