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The Dons - last year's DFAL champs - are attempting to match their perfect run from a season ago.
"The team goal is to be undefeated in league, if possible, win the league," said Acalanes head coach Brent Ringwood. "And then (the goal is to) get in the playoffs and have a chance to play for an NCS championship."
If the Dons are going to repeat that feat, the team will have to go about doing so in a different fashion.
"All of our wins and most of our losses have just been grinds. Whereas in years past, we've been able to look at one or two guys and say, 'alright, we're to these plays for you. You just take over,' " said Ringwood, whose team owns a flawless 7-0 mark in league play and an 8-5 mark overall after thumping Dougherty Valley 14-0 at home on April 15.
"We don't have that this year," Ringwood admitted. "Our offense has to lock in for every game and our offense has to find ways to get it done."
Fortunately for the Dons, players have been stepping up. Senior captains Nathan Brickman and Brian Maiken have been the stars of the offense and defense, respectively. Then there's the goalie.
"Nate Welcomer has been special," Ringwood said of the junior.
The next test will for the Dons will be a clash with Campo on April 19 in Moraga. After taking care of Miramonte 15-9 on April 15 in a road tilt and hammering Dublin 20-0 on April 12 at home, the Cougars are just a game behind their neighbors in the standings, with a record of 6-1 in league and a 9-4 mark overall.
After claiming the second spot in the DFAL table last spring, the Cougars have even grander aims for 2016.
"Our team goals this year are to win DFAL and to win NCS," declared head coach Mitchel Frey. "The competition in our league and the North Coast Section (are the only obstacles that stand in our way)."
With a 4-3 record in league play and a 7-6 mark overall, the Mats also still have an outside shot at making a run at the DFAL title.
Those hopes took a hit after dropping back-to-back games against Acalanes and Campolindo, but the schedule plays into the Mats' favor. Miramonte plays host to Acalanes on May 6 in the final league contest, offering the Mats the opportunity to potentially wreck the Dons' bid for back-to-back unblemished campaigns.
Reach the reporter at:
Lamorinda Weekly, Moraga CA