Amador football defeats Foothill; scores No. 1 in NCS Amador football defeats Foothill; scores No. 1 in NCS (November 19, 2004)

Lady Dons win NCS first round volleyball
by Heidi Massie

As expected, the big game between the Amador and Foothill varsity football teams last Friday provided plenty of excitement for more than 8,000 fans, as the Dons defeated the Falcons 21-17 in an amazing come-from-behind win for the East Bay Athletic League title. Amador's undefeated record of 10-0 earned it the No. 1 seed in the Division 4-A North Coast Section playoffs that begins tonight at Amador against No. 8 Deer Valley (7-3).

After being denied a well-deserved spot in last year's NCS playoffs, the Dons' top placement received a unanimous vote from the NCS committee who placed the powerful Pittsburg team No. 2 and the legendary De La Salle at No. 3. Foothill (8-2) received the No. 4 spot and will face No. 5 James Logan tonight in Union City.

Friday's win did not come easy for Amador as Foothill dominated the first half of the game, leading 17-0 at halftime. During the first half, Amador didn't play like an undefeated team, giving up a fumble and committing several penalties that contributed to Foothill's lead.

The third quarter started out appearing no different from the first half as Foothill's defense limited the Dons advancement on the field. But late in the third, Amador's Collin Hoyer intercepted a Falcon pass that changed the momentum of the game. After runs by Marcus Sylva and Devin Satterthwaite moved the ball down field, Brett Zollman found Satterthwaite in the right corner of the end zone for a touchdown, cutting the Falcons' lead to 17-7. On Foothill's next possession Cory Guillory wrestled the ball away from a Falcons' receiver and returned the interception to Foothill's 42-yard line. Zollman found Sylva in the right corner of the end zone for the Dons' second touchdown that brought the Dons within 3 points of Foothill with 9:19 remaining in the game.

Amador took the lead following Nate Young's pass reception run down the sideline into the end zone with 4:19 remaining. Foothill was unable to score and as Amador ran out the clock, the field was swarmed with Amador fans.
JV Football

Foothill's JV football team dominated the game against Amador using trick plays to earn a 31-7 win. The Falcons' Jordan Johnson began the scoring with a field goal, followed by a Josh Mendonca to Stephen Yoshida 23-yard pass reception for a touchdown. An Amador fumble recovered by Mitch Dal Porto led to a second touchdown by Kyle Howell. On Amador's next possession, Yoshida intercepted a Dons' pass that led to a touchdown by tight-end Kenny Mudrack for a 24-0 lead. Another trick play gave Foothill a 31-0 lead following a Mendonca handoff to Yoshida who passed to an open Johnson in the end zone.
Girls Volleyball NCS playoffs

Amador girls varsity volleyball team (26-10) had no trouble beating Berkeley in three games, 25-19, 25-17, 25-11, in the first round of the North Coast Section playoffs. The Lady Dons were led by their 6-footers, senior Melissa Larson, junior Lindsay Fogarty and freshman Sophia Dunworth, combined for 23 kills. Larson and Fogarty also had 13 aces between them. Katie Gellerman contributed five kills, five digs and an ace, and Tess Gellerman had 24 assists, one kill and seven digs.
Girls Golf State Championship

Amador girls varsity golf team completed its season at the state championships this week placing sixth.

"It's really been a great year for the team," said coach Clark Fuller. "The girls have played well and it's been exciting for them." Lauren Oh led the team with a score of 90 (par 74), followed by Lauren Russman and Micalann Cowan (101), Kelly McKeehan (105), Sarah Randall (107) and Arielle Chong (111).
Schedule
Friday Football NCS playoffs Amador vs. Deer Valley; 7:30 p.m. Foothill at James Logan; 7:30 p.m.
Saturday Girls Tennis Foothill at NorCal Tournament, Fremont Tennis Center; 11:30 a.m.
Girls Volleyball NCS Championship, TBA
Cross Country NCS Championships, Hayward High, 9 a.m.
Tuesday Girls Volleyball NorCal
Friday Football NCS Playoffs semifinals, TBA

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