After a weak showing last week against Menlo-Atherton, the Dons (6-3 overall, 2-2 Peninsula Athletic League) quickly turned things around with a 28-7 beatdown of Burlingame (5-2 overall, 3-2 PAL).
Aragon’s win marks the first defeat of Burlingame since 2007, ending an 0-5 stretch against the Panthers in which they have been outscored 148-76.
However, coach Steve Sell explains, “I don’t get caught up in the streak or anything like that. I think it was just a good win to beat a playoff [team].”
The Dons were the first to put points on the board, capping a 50-yard drive with a 4-yard touchdown run by junior tight end Michael Muller late in the first quarter, followed by junior defensive back Davion Cox’s 29-yard interception, which he returned for a touchdown.
Despite their early successes, the highlight of the game came with 17 seconds to go in the first half, as senior Siua Tongamoa completed a Statue of Liberty play, a trick play in which the junior quarterback Gabe Campos caught the snap with both hands, faked a throw with one hand to one side of the field, while discreetly handing the ball off to Tongamoa behind him, who ran the opposite direction for a touchdown.
“We had been practicing that play a little bit [throughout the] week just in case we needed it for a moment like that,” says junior linebacker Dante Pacini. “[Coach] Sell called it at the perfect time and I thought it was an awesome call and even better execution by [junior quarterback] Gabe Campos and [senior running back] Siua [Tongamoa].”
After last week’s embarrassing defensive performance, the Dons worked tirelessly in practice, and their hard work became apparent as they took the field against the Panthers. The Dons defense was dominant the entire game, shutting out Burlingame until the fourth quarter as junior running back Cole Friedlander powered through the red and black for a 4-yard touchdown run.
“Our defense came into this week prepared and with a chip on our shoulder, knowing that we gave up 48 [points] last week,” says Pacini. “We worked hard in practice and had a lot of confidence that I believe carried into the game.”
With one game to go before playoffs, the Dons will look to clean up their mistakes in preparation for their matchup against Hillsdale (4-5 overall, 1-3 PAL). Trying to avenge last year’s 45-22 loss, the Dons are feeling confident going into the Homecoming Game.
Says senior Paul Lautaimi, “We gotta stay focused, have that mentality of winning, and then we gotta beat Hillsdale next week.”
