Aragon’s football team is currently 4-2 heading into the prime of their schedule. Despite having managed only one league win last year, expectations are high for the team.
“We would like to compete for a Bay Division championship, first and foremost,” says head coach Steve Sell. “And if we don’t do well, I would like to make the [CCS] playoffs and do well in [those].”
The Dons traveled to Pacifica on Friday to take on Terra Nova, and defeated the Tigers 46-15. Undeterred by the results from the past weeks and the day’s rainy weather, it was evident from the kickoff that the red and black were playing to win.
Aragon began the game strong with an interception that was ran back 67 yards for a touchdown by senior Siua Tongamoa, followed by a 64-yard touchdown pass from junior Gabe Campos to fellow junior Donaven Robinson along with a two-point conversion.
“The backs ran hard and ran tough, we blocked well. I think our tight end had a great game, he made catches, had a big play, and blocked well,” says Coach Steve Sell. I think our fullbacks played brilliant, so that was a great team win.”
Junior wide receiver Davion Cox led the team with five receptions for 75 yards and one touchdown.
“This win means everything,” says Cox. “We’ve been working hard every week.”
After giving up 15 points in the first quarter, the Dons’ defense held its ground for the remainder of the game, keeping the Terra Nova side of the scoreboard frozen at 15. The red and black defense constantly pressured the Terra Nova quarterback and put up seven sacks, three of which came at the hands of junior linebacker Dante Pacini.
“It’s nice,” says Pacini on his performance. “But as long as the defense is doing good and the defense is stopping them and we’re putting points on the board and we’re winning, that’s all that matters”
Over the offseason, the Dons were forced to replace several graduating seniors, including quarterback Tanner Nguyen and wide receiver Devin Grant.
Despite losing key members of the team over the offseason, senior offensive tackle Tomislav Medan says that the team has grown closer to mitigate these losses.
“We have had more people come up,” he explains. “We’ve grown as a team. It is not two people that make the team, it’s 11 people on the field at once. And there is no negating the fact that [the players we lost] were good players, but the fact that we are coming together as a more coherent group makes up for it tenfold.”
With the graduating seniors’ starting positions up for grabs this year, the players have been forced to step up and fill in the missing pieces. While some teams might struggle through change, the Dons have actually excelled. Younger players have been called on to perform at their best, and they haven’t disappointed.
“We have bunch of good young players,” says Sell. “They are eager to learn, work hard, [and are] very coachable, so I’m excited.”
Looking ahead, the Dons are set to host Menlo-Atherton (5-2) next week before concluding the season with home games against Burlingame (4-3) and Hillsdale (3-4).
