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October 29, 2017
LAFAYETTE, CA – In a crazy and close game, it ultimately came down to a nine-play, 71-yard drive capped by a quarterback sneak by senior Robby Rowell with six seconds left as Acalanes tipped Campolindo, 35-28, in a huge rivalry matchup on Friday night. Campolindo had beaten the Dons over the past seven years heading into the game. “The feeling is just amazing to pull this win off,” Rowell said. “We came into the matchup a little nervous, but our confidence grew more and we didn’t back down from them.” Campolindo tied the game 28-all with 2:35 remaining, with John Torchio throwing to Vince Mossotti on a six-yard pass. Acalanes marched 71 yards downfield, scoring the winning touchdown when Rowell lunged over the goal line, with defenders piled on top of him. The visiting Cougars got a final chance, but a lateral attempt fell short, and moments later, fans stormed the field in joy as the host Dons tipped rival Campolindo. With the game tied 14-all at the start of the second half, the host Dons (7-1, 2-1 DAL-Foothill) came out strong as Rowell connected with Chris Rogers for a four-yard touchdown pass to take the lead 21-14. Torchio’s passes on the next drive fell incomplete after being broken up by Dons linebacker Ryan Nall. Torchio was able to convert on fourth down, however, and on the next play, running back Shun Ishida ran 30 yards down the sideline to the end zone to tie the game 21-all with 5:39 left in the third quarter. On the ensuing Acalanes drive, Torchio intercepted Rowell’s pass, but the Cougars’ drive was stopped when Nall sacked Torchio. The Dons started to get momentum in the second quarter as Rowell had a long pass to Rogers to the three yard line. Rowell then threw to Merken for Acalanes’ first touchdown of the game, after trailing 14-0 early. With 3:39 left in the half, Rowell broke through the Cougars’ defense for a 40 -yard keeper for a touchdown to tie the game 14-all. Campolindo had a chance to take the lead before halftime, but Torchio was intercepted by Merken in the end zone. “We came out a little jittery in the first quarter, and then we settled down and started playing well,” said Acalanes coach Floyd Burnsed. “Once Rowell broke through the line of scrimmage, he had a lot of running room, so it worked well.” Campolindo faces off against Clayton Valley Charter at home on Friday night, while Acalanes will travel to Miramonte Friday night. Scoring Summary Campo-Torchio 1 Run (Ortman kick) Campo-Windatt 49 Pass from Torchio (Ortman kick) Aca-Merken 3 Pass from Rowell (Shapoorian kick) Aca-Rowell 40 Run (Shapoorian kick) Aca-Rogers 4 Pass from Rowell (Shapoorian kick) Campo-Ishida 30 Run (Ortman kick) Aca-Merken 24 Pass from Rowell (Shapoorian kick) Campo-Mossotti 6 Pass from Torchio (Ortman kick) Aca-Rowell 4 Run (Shapoorian kick) |
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