Amador advances to football semifinals Amador advances to football semifinals (November 26, 2004)

Lady Dons runners No. 1 and No. 2 in NCS
by Heidi Massie

Amador varsity football team continued its winning ways last Friday, defeating Deer Valley 38-17 in the first round of the North Coast Section playoffs. Tonight, the Dons (11-0) face James Logan (9-2) at Amador for the NCS semifinals beginning at 7:30 p.m. James Logan beat Foothill 46-20 in the first round.

Amador's offense came out in high gear against Deer Valley, scoring twice on their first two offensive plays, but at the half, the teams were tied at 17. The second half belonged to the Dons as they scored 21 unanswered points.

The defense set the tone for the remainder of the game on Deer Valley's initial possession of the half when Cory Guillory stripped the ball from a Wolverine runner and Jensen Ybarra recovered for the Dons. After five plays, Guillory scored the go-ahead touchdown from six yards out.

Early in the fourth quarter, after the Dons defense forced the Wolverines' to punt yet again, Collin Creighton bobbled the ball, then picked it up and returned the ball back for a 63-yard touchdown. After Taylor Richardson's fourth extra point of the night, the Dons led 31-17. Late in the fourth, as the Dons ran the ball and the clock, the Dons fumbled on the third yard line, but lineman Ben Contreras recovered the ball in the end zone for a touchdown.
Cross Country NCS

Amador girls cross country runner Kendall Nemeth became the North Coast Section Division I champion Saturday in Hayward, finishing first in the three-mile run with a time of 18:33. Right behind her was teammate Caitlin MacDonald finishing second in 18:42. The girls team placed second, earning it a trip to the state meet this weekend in Fresno. Foothill sophomore Ashley Stratman finished sixth (19:24) and also qualified for the state competition.

Though the Amador boys team did not qualify for state, Ben DeLand's fifth-place finish (16:01) earned him a trip to the state championships. Foothill's Gordie Throne finished seventh (16:15) and qualified for tomorrow's championship as well.
Girls Volleyball NCS

Amador went on to face Liberty last Saturday in the final round for the NCS Championship and took a two-game lead, but the athletic Liberty team came from behind to beat the Dons 28-26, 25-20, 12-25, 21-25, 11-15. Despite the loss, Amador qualified to play in the first round of the CIF State Playoffs.

In game 1, Amador fell behind but came back on blocks by Melissa Larson and a kill by Tess Gellerman, eventually leading to a 28-26 win. Game 2 was tied 9-9 before Amador went on a run and took the lead after two kills by April Nixon, a kill by Sophia Dunworth, and rally saving digs by Morgan Anderson. A kill by Nixon gave the Dons a 21-20 lead, and Lindsay Fogarty served out the game. A final play by Nixon dug a hard driven ball that Dunworth put down for a kill for the 25-20 win.
Girls Tennis NCS

Foothill varsity tennis team members Megan Kummer and Lauren Guerdat won the NCS/Les Schwab Tires Girls Tennis Doubles Championship last Wednesday. They first won a close semifinal match 7-6 (11-9 tiebreaker) and 6-3 against the doubles team from Arroyo. Kummer and Guerdat went on to win the finals over Northgate's team 6-4 and 7-5.
Schedule
Friday Football NCS Amador vs. James Logan; 7:30 p.m.
Saturday Cross Country CIF State Championships, Woodward Park, Fresno
Boys Basketball Amador vs. Deer Valley; 7 p.m.
Monday Boys Soccer Foothill vs. Las Lomas; 5:30 p.m.
Tuesday Boys Basketball Amador vs. American; 7 p.m. Foothill vs. Liberty; 7:30 p.m.
Girls Soccer Amador vs. Bishop O'Dowd; 5 p.m.
Wednesday Girls Basketball Amador at Amador ABC Tournament; 7:30 p.m.
Boys Soccer Amador at Alameda; 5:30 p.m. Foothill vs. Mission San Jose; 6 p.m.
Thursday Girls Basketball Amador at Amador ABC Tournament; 7:30 p.m. Foothill at Irvington Tournament; TBA
Boys Basketball Amador at Washington Tournament; TBA
Friday Girls Basketball Amador at Amador ABC Tournament; 7:30 p.m. Foothill at Irvington Tournament; TBA
Boys Basketball Amador at Washington Tournament; TBA Foothill at Orem (Utah) High, Straw Hat Classic, Antioch; 7 p.m.
Girls Soccer Amador at Newark Tournament; TBA
Boys Soccer Amador vs. Washington; 5:30 p.m.

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