PLEASANTON — Amador Valley began its season behind the eight ball.
Fresh off winning the first North Coast Section title in school history, Amador Valley entered the year without five senior skill position players: running back Ismael Duenas (dislocated elbow); tight end Kade Robertson (season-ending torn knee ligament); and wide receivers Anthony Harrington (ankle), Aidan Foley and McKay Kenitzer (hamstring).
With injuries up and down their roster, the Dons (3-6, 1-2) endured four straight losses to start their season. Their average margin of defeat was roughly eight points, a sign of this team’s ability to compete despite not being at full strength. With a decisive 35-14 win over Monte Vista on Halloween, Amador Valley is looking spooky at just the right time.
“We never lost faith,” said head coach Danny Jones. “If we look at the scores of games, we’re battling our (butts) off. We knew the football team that we were and what we were capable of, and it’s wonderful to be able to put it together and to see it for four quarters on both sides of the ball.
“We have one game left in the season. If we win, we’re in the playoffs. I feel so good about whatever bracket they want to put us in, whether that’s the D2 or the D3 bracket. I feel like the schedule we’ve played all year long, we’re hardened and we’re battle-tested and we’re a physical football team.”
On a night where Duenas and UNLV commit Cole Goldsworthy returned from injury, the Dons’ three-touchdown victory was a non-stop exhibition dynamic play after dynamic play.
Duenas and Nehemia “Nemo” Fungula each had an interception. Ian Simpson recovered a muffed punt return by Monte Vista that led to a touchdown. The defense forced two fumbles and blocked a field goal attempt that led to another touchdown.
The other side of the ball was equally dynamic. Harrington totaled 215 receiving yards on eight receptions with two touchdowns of 53 and 82 yards. Sophomore quarterback Nicco Kovacs threw for three touchdowns. Senior Vincent Maiorana and junior Tommy Vespi each had rushing touchdowns while senior Tyson Jetter had a receiving touchdown.
“Special,” Jones said of Harrington. “Four-year varsity player, going to Idaho State next year. Just a baller, right? He always wants the ball in his hands, and we want to give it to him because he’s an incredible football player. He’s a YAC monster; he catches the ball and he breaks tackles and he can go.”
Next week, Jones expects Foley and Kenitzer to suit up as Amador Valley finishes the regular season against California, which was blown out 52-14 by De La Salle on Thursday.
“We started off the season a little slow,” Harrington said. “We had a lot of injuries … but we knew when we had everybody back, we were going to be dangerous. We showed that tonight. We’re ready to take on any team that’s in front of us, and now that we’re healthy — we’re fresh off our bye week — we’re feeling good and ready to go.”
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Monte Vista (5-4, 1-1), by contrast, found itself on the wrong of those momentum plays, the dagger being when its defense let up two explosive touchdowns on the first play of back-to-back drives in the second half. Senior quarterback Ian Ondricek was responsible for both of the Mustangs’ touchdowns, totaling one with his legs and one with his arm (to junior Grant Mania).
“I just think we shot ourselves in the foot whether it was missed assignments or turnovers,” said Monte Vista head coach Joe Wingert. “The biggest thing was the after curriculars, whether it was poor attitude … personal foul penalties and stuff like that are killing drives or giving them automatic first downs. I think that was the part that was really frustrating.
“Fumbles are going to happen; those are physical mistakes. Missed blocks are going to happen; those are physical mistake. As long as we’re mentally doing the right thing and playing hard, I’ll be okay with that. But this was not the kind of football we want to play.”
