Attempting to shake off last season’s 2-9 overall record, the Aragon football team is hoping this year is the beginning of a turnaround.
The Dons’ 28-14 loss to Capuchino on Sept. 27, although disappointing, revealed several moments of promise.
The Mustangs got to Aragon’s 25-yard line with just one minute left in the second quarter and it looked as if they weren’t going to score. However, they ran a flea flicker and threw a 25-yard touchdown catching the Dons off guard and headed into halftime with a 14-7 lead.
In seven plays, the Dons were able to drive downfield 66 yards and attempt an unsuccessful three-yard touchdown rush by sophomore running back Alan Tanielu.
The drive was highlighted by a 30-yard pass from sophomore quarterback Jake Willerup to junior wide receiver Daren Randolph.
Rushing for 182 yards and passing for 129, the offense racked up an impressive 311 yards, outpacing their opponent by 72 yards and completing five out of 11 third down conversions.
“They have a lot of athletic[ly] skill[ed] guys and if the first guy misses you’re in trouble,” said head coach Steve Sell.
In the third quarter, the Mustangs ran another trick play — a reverse play in which the quarterback lined up at the wide receiver position and got the ball on the run, then threw the football 35 yards for a touchdown, giving Capuchino a 21-7 lead.
“Those were backbreakers,” Sell said. “Our safety wasn’t totally out of position, we were in man-to-man coverage and if we make a tackle we stop them. Those were huge plays and probably the difference in the game.”
The Dons however, were not finished yet. With 10 minutes left in the third quarter, they received the ball at their 35-yard line.
The Dons stormed down the field rushing for 35 total yards and throwing for 26 yards on two completed passes. They had first and goal at the Mustangs eight yard line, but after getting a gain of four total yards on the next three plays, they faced a crucial fourth and goal at the four yard line.
After getting the snap, Willerup rolled out to the left and looked for an open receiver in the end zone but his throw was tipped and picked off by Capuchino in the end zone ending the Dons’ seven minute drive.
“I got to make better reads when I’m rolling out and … just got to be disciplined,” Willerup said.
In the final quarter, after two completed passes by Willerup, the Dons turned to their running game, led by sophomore running back Solomone Hokofonu.
Hokofonu ran eight straight times on the drive for 58 yards, ultimately capping it off with scoring the Dons’ second and final touchdown.
The last four minutes were desperate times for the Dons as they were trailing 28-14. Willerup threw an interception on back-to-back drives to end the game.
Although the Dons lost 28-14, there were some key takeaways for the team.
In his first game back with the Dons, senior defensive end Sefo Tau led the team with eight tackles.
“It was a little nerve racking, a lot of butterflies, but of course I overcame that and just did what I needed to do,” Tau said.
The young quarterback Willerup also showed great promise for the future of Aragon football with his constant discipline and drive.
The Dons (1-4 overall, 0-1 Peninsula Bay League) will face Sacred Heart Prep (4-1 overall, 1-0 league) for their second league game on Oct. 11.
