Ben Marshall's Article

Ben Marshall

Braves Tomahawk Dons
Defense Allows 5 Rushing Touchdowns in Home Opener

Coming off a big win against Aptos, the Dons looked increasingly sluggish as the game progressed in their home opener Friday night against Justin Sienna. “We played down at their level tonight, we didn’t step up,” said senior Jesse Weiner.

On a cool, breezy night at Acalanes, the Braves got the opening kickoff, and drove 66 yards to the Dons’ 16 where they scored the first points of the night on a field goal.

On the ensuing possession, Acalanes took their only lead of the game, moving the ball 67 yards down the field behind junior quarterback Tyler Caldwell, and ending the drive with a 1 yard run by star half-back Tyler Malley.

Justin Sienna then drove down the field and looked poised to score a touchdown with a 1st and goal at the 5 yard line. The Dons’ defense held fast, and on 4th and goal at the 3, they stopped a quarterback sneak for a turnover on downs.

After a three and out for the Dons, Malley punted the ball and it was returned to the Acalanes 40 yard line. At this point, the Dons were looking like they were taking control of the game when they forced a fumble on 3rd and 8 that was recovered at the 45 yard line.

Caldwell and Malley then combined for two first downs, but when they tried to go for it on 4th and 10 on the Justin Sienna 37 yard line, Caldwell was sacked for a 3 yard loss and the Dons had to give up the ball.

From that point forward, things started to fall apart for Acalanes. The Braves got one first down, then erupted for a 43 yard run down to the 5 yard line. On the following play, the quarterback ran into the end zone for a touchdown. That brought the score to 10-7, and gave the Braves the lead that they would never relinquish.

Acalanes lost any hopes of taking the lead before halftime when Caldwell threw his first interception of the night with 50 seconds left in the half. Justin Sienna couldn’t take advantage of the turnover going into halftime.

The Dons did not seem rejuvenated after halftime, going three and out, and watching Justin Sienna get another touchdown on a 30 yard run.

When Acalanes was forced to punt on 4th and 20 following yet another sack of Caldwell, there was a botched snap, and Malley was forced to chase down the ball as it flew past him, resulting in a 23 yard loss.

Two plays later the Braves had scored again, this time on a 10 yard run, though they did miss their second extra point of the game.
Malley got the crowed back into the game on the very next play when he juked past several befuddled defenders, taking the kickoff all the way back for his second touchdown of the game, though the kicker missed the extra point.

Justin Sienna answered back with two more rushing touchdowns, helped by Caldwell’s second interception, to bring the final score to 36-13.

“I think that our team’s effectiveness running the ball and effectiveness of just playing good team defense [helped us win],” said the Braves’ assistant coach Brandon LaRocco.

Acalanes was a totally different team from last week, when they pounded Aptos on the road. In that game, Caldwell threw for 3 touchdowns, and no interceptions in his debut as varsity starter.

“This week here, he faced a lot of pressure that he probably hasn’t seen since he’s been with this program. They sent a lot of people; they blitzed and it rattled him.” Said assistant coach Jerry Maynard when asked what he thought the difference was between Aptos and Justin Sienna. “We have a lot to work on this week.”
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