Amador Valley coach Danny Jones can’t wait for Sept. 29.
That’s when quarterback Tristan Tia, a 6-foot-3 junior, becomes eligible to play. He’s sitting out the first five games after transferring from Granada.
The Dons are playing pretty well without Tia. They improved to 2-1 by rallying from a 12-point deficit to edge host Acalanes 14-12 on Friday night.
Jake Goldsworthy scored on a 5-yard run and stand-in quarterback Aidan Foley ran it in from 10 yards out to rally the visitors.
Both TDs came in the third quarter.
Acalanes (0-3) did all its scoring in the first half with touchdowns on its first two possessions.
Amador Valley has back-to-back victories over Campolindo (6-0) and Acalanes after starting the season with a seven-point loss to El Cerrito, the No. 11-ranked team in the Bay Area News Group Top 25.
“Quarterback back in two games and it’s on,” Jones texted after the win over Acalanes.
LAFAYETTE, CA – SEPTEMBER 8: Amador Valley head coach Danny Jones smiles after his team won a high school football game against Acalanes at Acalanes High School in Lafayette, Calif. on Sept. 8, 2023. (Douglas Zimmerman/Special to the Bay Area News Group)
The trouble is, there might not be a game for Amador Valley to play on Sept. 29. The Dons were supposed to meet Novato, which backed out. Novato lists only 24 varsity players on its MaxPreps roster. Amador Valley has 45. Jones is searching for an opponent to play on Sept. 29 or Nov. 3.
On the field, the Dons are winning with defense.
They’ve outscored their opponents 27-26.
LAFAYETTE, CA – SEPTEMBER 8: Aidan Foley (12) of Amador Valley scores a touchdown ahead of the tackle of Collin Malmquist (3) of Acalanes during the third quarter of a high school football game at Acalanes High School in Lafayette, Calif. on Sept. 8, 2023. (Douglas Zimmerman/Special to the Bay Area News Group)
“Aidan Foley is a gamer,” said Jones, adding that the sophomore has done a great job of managing the offense in Tia’s absence.
But Foley is really a defensive back who also plays a number of positions on offense. Against Acalanes, he scored on a bootleg, putting Amador Valley in front.
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Acalanes twice threatened to score after that, but the visitors held.
“Our defense is insane,” Jones said.
Amador Valley plays Monte Vista and Foothill in non-league encounters before Tia returns. East Bay Athletic League Valley Division play opens on Oct. 6, when the Dons host Dougherty Valley.
LAFAYETTE, CA – SEPTEMBER 8: Anthony Harrington (6) of Amador Valley runs the ball against Acalanes during a high school football game at Acalanes High School in Lafayette, Calif. on Sept. 8, 2023. (Douglas Zimmerman/Special to the Bay Area News Group)
LAFAYETTE, CA – SEPTEMBER 8: Trevor Rogers (5) of Acalanes appeals to the referee after he was ruled out of bounds after catching a ball just outside the end zone in the fourth quarter during a high school football game against Amador Valley at Acalanes High School in Lafayette, Calif. on Sept. 8, 2023. (Douglas Zimmerman/Special to the Bay Area News Group)
LAFAYETTE, CA – SEPTEMBER 8: Jake Boselli(4) of Acalanes attempts to throw a pass while chased by Cooper Longmire (77) of Amador Valley during a high school football game at Acalanes High School in Lafayette, Calif. on Sept. 8, 2023. (Douglas Zimmerman/Special to the Bay Area News Group)
LAFAYETTE, CA – SEPTEMBER 8: Trevor Rogers (5) of Acalanes attempts to catch a pass in the end zone while defended by Anthony Harrington (6) of Amador Valley during a high school football game at Acalanes High School in Lafayette, Calif. on Sept. 8, 2023. (Douglas Zimmerman/Special to the Bay Area News Group)
LAFAYETTE, CA – SEPTEMBER 8: Trevor Rogers(5) of Acalanes attempts to get past the tackle of Sean Cervantes (4) of Amador Valley during a high school football game at Acalanes High School in Lafayette, Calif. on Sept. 8, 2023. (Douglas Zimmerman/Special to the Bay Area News Group)
