Reporting by Chin-Yi Kong.
On April 16, Aragon’s football team (2-4 overall, 2-3 Peninsula Athletic League, Ocean Division) was defeated 17-3 by Hillsdale (4-1 overall, 4-1 PAL) in an intense game that closed off the Dons’ shortened season. For seniors on the team, the game marked the last time they would wear their jerseys for Aragon, and the culmination of their dedication to the sport and hard work over several years.
The Knights used their strong running offense to score during the first quarter, pulling ahead in a 7-0 lead. To tie the game, Aragon sophomore wide receiver Lloyd Walter scored on a 73-yard rushing touchdown, only to have it called back due to an offensive holding penalty.
“I was very excited to have that long run early in the game,” Walter said. “I was kind of disappointed when they called it back. Just the excitement of making it all the way down the field and stiff-arming was really fun.”
Aragon’s prospects did not look good after the first half. The Knights scored a field goal during the second quarter, extending the lead to 10-0. The referees threw out numerous flags, especially against the Dons.
“With [that] many flags, you just had to take deep breaths and calm your mind just so you can play better,” Walter said.
Hillsdale’s team began the second half with a touchdown, leaving Aragon trailing 17-0. However, the Dons’ perseverance paid off in the third quarter. After scoring two touchdowns and barely missing an extra point, the Dons closed the score gap at 17-13.
“The first half was really slow for us, but we knew we had to turn it on if we wanted [to win],” said senior defensive tackle Sam Bolak. “We knew we had to turn it on right then and there.”
With just a little over a minute left, the Dons had 45 yards standing between them and a victory. Even with the Dons’ efforts, the Knights’ defense managed to stop them on fourth down. The Knights had the ball, and with just 14 seconds remaining, they took a knee, ending the game, and with it, the Dons’ season.
“Hillsdale played well against the run,” said head coach Steve Sell. “[They] forced us to throw more than I thought we would.”
Emotions ran high after the game. This was the last opportunity for many seniors, like Bolak, to play for the Dons. Despite their loss, Sell was still happy with how the team played.
“[I’m] so proud of the way our kids bounced back [and] how hard they fought,” Sell said. “They didn’t give up.”
The team echoed Sell’s sentiment.
“At the end of the day, if you want to come back from something, then you [have] to have the right mindset, and our team did that,” Bolak said.
Although the season did not end the way the Dons had hoped, the game was a memorable end to a highly unusual season.
