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Through the first three games of the Amador Valley High football season, the Dons defense had been the star, allowing under nine points a game as they started with a 2-1 record.
The offense was another story, averaging just nine points a game.
Week four brought an interesting challenge as Amador faced former East Bay Athletic League Mountain Division rival Monte Vista.
The Mustangs came into the game 3-0 and averaging 44 points a game.
The game started as a show of strength as the Mustangs scored on their first two drives for a 14-0 lead, and after Amador got a big play/long run to make it 14-7, Monte Vista went right back down the field to make it 21-7.
“At that point we were thinking we have to sustain some drives to keep the ball of their offense’s hands,” said Amador coach Danny Jones.
While there were some concerns for Jones and his staff, the players remained calm.
“We had the same situation against Acalanes when we were down 12-0,” said Jones of the 14-12 Amador win. “There really was no panic.”
What was about to happen was an explosion – of points. In the second quarter through the early third quarter, Amador put 28 straight points on the board to go from down 21-7 to up 35-21.
While the offense was going nuts, the defense found their footing.
“Our defense feeds off momentum,” said Jones.
Monte Vista did get it together on offense, but the Mustangs couldn’t keep the Dons from doing the same. The final score of 41-34 for Amador was a surprising score.
“If you had told me before the game, we would win 41-34, I would have said you’re high,” said Jones with a laugh.
The offensive difficulty for Amador through the first three games was not completely unexpected. The Dons quarterback Tristian Tia and his cousin offensive lineman Paul Tia had to sit out the first five games of this season after transferring from Granada in March.
Jones turned to sophomore Aidan Foley to run the offense until Tia was eligible to play.
The play calling has been more conservative.
“We just want to run the plays (Foley) is comfortable running,” said Jones. “Our offense will be entirely different when Tristin comes in.”
Foley had two big things in the first four games. One, he has not turned the ball over, and two, he has improved each week.
“The kid just keeps getting better,” said Jones. “He has a gamer mentality – he’s just a baller at heart.”
Of course, with skill players like Nate Jetter, Jake Goldsworthy, and Anthony Harrington, if you protect the ball and get it into their hands, good things will happen.
Jetter is a third year, two-way starter for the Dons, as well as a team captain, and is one of the best athletes in the EBAL. At 6-foot-3, 185 pounds he is imposing as a receiver and a safety.
Against Monte Vista he had a late touchdown on a fourth-and-ten play. He added a key interception in the second half.
“He never comes off the field,” said Jones of Jetter. “He is such a team player and incredible as a leader.”
Goldsworthy keyed the ground game, scoring twice on long TD runs. He got to the corner and just ran away from the defense.
“An absolute monster,” said Jones of Goldsworthy. “He’s a big kid that gets stronger as the game goes on and he’s fast.”
Harrington is only a sophomore that started for the varsity as a freshman last year. He is only 5-9 and 145 pounds, but the kid is tough as nails. As good as he is running and catching the ball, he will be even better when Tia comes in. Harrington is also developing into a shutdown corner.
“He’s such a stud,” said Jones. “And he’s another guy that never comes off the field.”
The game against Monte Vista was also the centerpiece of the Amador Centennial Celebration for Amador’s 100th anniversary. With so many alumni back in town there could have been added pressure on the Dons.
That wasn’t the case.
“We never even talked about (the celebration),” said Jones. “I thought there would be maybe a little more pressure, but the team this year makes me a little less nervous in playing games as compared to past years.”
What lies right in front of Amador is the last non-league game before EBAL Valley play kicks off. And it happens to be crosstown rival Foothill.
The Falcons are 0-3 and struggling in all facets of the game. But this is the rival game and history has shown what has happened up to this point should be thrown out the window.
“We have to play well,” said Jones. “All the emotions that come with a rivalry game and cause it to get to the fourth quarter and have it a one score game.”
