In a game that Amador Valley head coach Danny Jones described as "weird", the Dons forced five turnovers and made just enough big plays on offense to defeat Granada, 14-3, in EBAL-Valley action on Friday night.
"It was a tough win. We missed a few opportunities, dropped a couple touchdown passes," Jones said. "We felt like we were dominating the game, but the scoreboard stayed close. Granada was able to control the football for the entire first half it seemed. But we came away with turnovers when our backs were against the wall."
The first 20 minutes of the game saw both teams exchange turnovers and then punts. But with just over four minutes go in the first half, Amador Valley (5-2, 2-0) struck with lightning speed. Quarterback Kannon Dote moved the sticks with a 15-yard completion to Cal Ewanich, then found Josh Heverly for a 52-yard touchdown and a 7-0 lead. Granada responded this time, though, starting at its own 25-yard line and marching 68 yards to the Amador Valley seven-yard line before the drive stalled out, resulting in a 29-yard Nick Hill field goal.
Granada (1-6, 0-2) went on a long drive to start the third quarter as well, keeping the ball on the ground and marching to the Amador Valley 35-yard line before the Matadors coughed up the ball, which was recovered by the Dons' Matthew Hallgrimson.
"Matt played extremely well all night for us, and has been a monster for us on defense," Jones added. "The story of the night was our defense and our depth at all positions, because we are still playing with a banged-up roster and a next man up mentality."
It appeared as if the Dons would increase their lead on the next possession, especially after a Dote to Ewanich pass took the ball down to the Granada 22-yard line, but a field goal attempt went wide left. The next Granada drive used up the rest of the third quarter and a chunk of the fourth, with the Matadors driving all the way to the Amador Valley 24-yard line before the Dons' defense stiffened and held. Eric Hunter III then broke loose for a 55-yard run to the Matadors' 15-yard line, and scored on a nine-yard run, a couple plays later for the 14-3 lead.
Amador Valley did not threaten again offensively, but the Dons' defense forced three turnovers in the final nine minutes of the game, including an interception from Jackson Ogolin to snuff out any final Granada hopes.
"Our defense really out did themselves, especially with the multiple turnovers in the fourth quarter," Dote said. "Their performance was crucial in order to win that game!"
Amador Valley hosts Dublin next Friday, while Granada is off next week.
