BELMONT, CA – The Aragon Dons, historically a “running” team, tallied over 160 passing yards en route to their 33-0 win against the host Carlmont Scots in both teams’ season openers Friday night. Aragon quarterback senior Tanner Nguyen shined in his first start with 164 yards on 12 passes, including four touchdowns.
Setting the pace of the game as early as the first quarter, the Dons built a 14-0 lead on two touchdown passes against the Scots, never looking back from then on. Meanwhile, Carlmont’s offense struggled against the visiting team’s unwavering defense, never making it within 20 yards of the Dons’ endzone the entire night.
The Scot’s offensive line even showed gaps as the Dons were able to force the Blue and White for some losses and sack quarterback sophomore Chris Park three times in the first quarter alone.
Aragon wide receiver senior Devin Grant scored four of the Dons’ five touchdowns, headlined by a play early in the second quarter when he broke free from the defense and caught the ball from Nguyen at midfield, subsequently making an unobstructed run into the endzone to extend his team’s lead to 20-0 after the PAT.
Grant would remain hot throughout the contest, recovering a 38-yard touchdown pass from Nguyen before it hit the turf despite Carlmont defensive back junior Matthew Tara disrupting the pass and tipping it into the air.
Carlmont’s closest opportunities to get on the scoreboard came from field goal attempts beyond Aragon’s 20-yard line, but both attempts fell well short. Star running back senior Jake Kumamoto was able to make small gains on his seven carries, but turnovers proved to be devastating to the Scots – particularly one occurring late in the fourth quarter when a fumble around their 39-yard line resulted in an easy run for Grant to score one last time towards their eventual 33-0 win.
With a week between their next games on Friday, Sept. 11, Aragon (1-0, Bay) will look to carry their strong offensive output in their home opener against the El Camino Colts while Carlmont (0-1, Lake) will look to rebound on the road against Woodside.
