Dons Decimate Bearcats: 50-22
After suffering a defeat at the hands of the San Mateo Bearcats last year, the Aragon varsity football team appeared eager to reassert their dominance. Thunder and lightning were not enough to stop the Don’s 50-22 victory on Friday night at San Mateo.
New to the Ocean Division after moving down from the Bay, the Dons hope to build on this first success.
The Bearcats started the game on the receiving end, but soon gave up their possession after being pushed near their end zone. Despite a sack and a false start penalty, the Dons were able to take advantage of the situation with a completion to Aldo Severson at the 11-yard line. After a couple rushing gains, Aragon’s James Egan drove into the end zone for the game’s first touchdown.
Later in the first quarter, San Mateo recovered the second of Aragon’s back-to-back fumbles. A completion to Andrew Ho resulted in the first of the Bearcat’s three touchdowns.
Aragon’s Dominic Proia proceeded to connect with Greg Lyons to put the Dons up 13-7. Aragon widened the gap when Thomas Sortwell returned an interception for 45 yards to increase the lead to 19-7. The Dons then followed up with a successful two-point conversion and entered the second quarter leading 21-7.
Marcell Jackson would then drive in for another Aragon touchdown and the Dons then proceeded to convert another two points as the lead rose to 29-7. However, San Mateo bounced back with a touchdown pass to Andrew Ho. Ho then rushed for a San Mateo two point conversion as the Bearcats briefly closed the lead to 29-15.
Unfortunately for Ho, there was little left he could do as Aragon dominated the second half with its running game and offensive line. Trailing 43-15, San Mateo was only able to score once more before James Egan dove through the San Mateo defenders for yet another Aragon touchdown to push the lead to 50-22.
As the clock hit zero, Aragon fans stormed the field. Coach Steve Sell was equally enthusiastic as he said, “I’m really happy for the kids. They were really disappointed from last year, but this was their game. “
For Aragon, the victory was not easy to come by. Sell adds, “At times we executed. At times we shot ourselves in the foot.”
The San Mateo players learned from the loss. Senior Andrew Ho said, “We just didn’t execute plays. Tonight was about mistakes. Personally I made mistakes too, but we can’t play like that. Mistakes decide the game.”
Ho was an offensive force Friday night with two of San Mateo’s three touchdowns. Sell said, “We tried to double cover Ho, but he’s great. He’s a special player, probably one of the best receivers in the county.”
The Aragon players thought it was more than just San Mateo’s mistakes. Junior Marcell Jackson said, “We also made a few mistakes, but we were going hard. Their defensive line was pushed by our offensive line.”
Senior Keenan Woodard said, “This was a good win. We did everything right and made our blocks, but the main factor was executing. Our offense executed and our defense flew to the ball.”
The Dons came into this game heads held high after extending the 19-year win streak against Hillsdale to finish off last season.
The players have been practicing six days a week. Sophomore Nathaniel Blood said, “We’ve been working on a lot of defense and preparing for San Mateo by scouting their offense. One of our strengths would have to be our offensive line. They can take advice well and apply it. If anything, our weakness is size. We’re smaller, but we have speed and skill.”
Sell is not extremely concerned about the talent of other teams in the division. “The thing is that there’s not a big difference between the top and bottom teams. All the teams are doing well and everyone is pretty equal. We have to focus on what we as a team are doing, otherwise we won’t be able to beat anyone.”
For Sell, each new season brings the possible glory of a championship victory. The positive start holds the promise of success in the Ocean Division.
