The Lamorinda rivalry series concluded with a big win for Miramonte on Oct. 11. The Mats (4-2, 1-1) defeated visiting Acalanes (4-2, 0-2) 41-28.

Both teams were looking to get back on track after suffering losses the previous week (Miramonte at Campolindo 10-38; Acalanes at Las Lomas 26-33) while the Cougars of Campolindo (6-0, 2-0 DFAL) overtook Marin Catholic as the top team in the Northern Division III rankings.

Before the game, Miramonte head coach Jack Schram emphasized the need to shut down the Don’s running game. “Acalanes runs the football very well. We want to... take them out of the ground game and put them into a passing game.”

Schram’s pregame strategy was based on the success of Las Lomas, who forced Acalanes quarterback Casey Harrington to throw the ball 46 times after senior running back Peter Mitchell went out early in the game.

“Casey had a breakout game last week, but this is what we’re dealing with,” said Acalanes head coach Mike Ivankovich, before the match-up with Miramonte. “When you lose your top weapons it’s tough.” Luckily for Ivankovich, Mitchell was ready for the Miramonte match-up. He had a 61-yard rushing touchdown on his way to recording 169 yards on the night.

The game began with early scoring drives from the Mats. “Our offensive line did a good job creating holes which allowed us to run right up the field for the opening touchdown,” said Schram. And his team kept the pressure on, building a 28-7 lead into the waning minutes of the first half.

In the third quarter, it was the Dons who came out hard, scoring a touchdown, and getting a pick six from its defense to cut Miramonte’s lead to seven, 28-21.

But it was too little, too late. In the fourth quarter, Miramonte senior running back Ray Clark, scored a 78-yard rushing touchdown to put the game out of reach.

“It was a pretty deep hole,” said Ivankovich after the game. “We kept playing, gave ourselves a chance...just wasn’t enough.”

An ecstatic Schram credited his team. “It was a good effort, and it was good for us to come back after last week and pick up the tempo offensively.”