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Head coach Kevin Macy pointed to the team's fourth-quarter comeback against Miramonte on Oct. 14 as the turning point for the Cougars, who have navigated a flood of injuries.
"We could have just imploded right there," Macy admitted, as he recalled the 37-25 win. "With the weight that we've been carrying all year long, that was one of the points in the season where it would just make sense if we finally felt the weight of the year and just sort of crumbled under it."
"So, for us to be able to pull off a victory under those conditions, I think it may have been one of the bigger Miramonte victories we've had," Macy added.
After topping Acalanes 42-7 at home on Oct. 28, Campolindo (7-2 overall, 4-0 in league) has won seven of eight games, as just one DAL matchup remains when the team visits Clayton Valley on Nov. 4.
For the Cougars, senior quarterback Jacob Westphal has been the steadying force, airing out touchdowns to a stable of pass catchers. Senior Vince Mossotti leads the team in receptions, yards and touchdowns, but Westphal has also relied heavily on junior John Torchio and senior Kannah Cruickshank. Then there's senior Matthew Rinquist.
"He's the smallest kid on the team," Macy said. "But he just seems to be one of those reliable kids that's just going to make the play that you need (and) spark the team."
While the Cougars have been bumped into the NCS Division II bracket - a result of the team's success in recent postseasons - Miramonte will be taking part in Division III playoffs. Both divisions begin the opening rounds of play on Nov. 11 and 12.
The Mats began the season 5-0 before dropping the first two games of the league season to Clayton Valley on back-to-back Fridays in the beginning of October. Head coach Jack Schram believes the early-league turbulence will ultimately benefit the Mats.
"We see where we made mistakes," said Schram, whose Mats own a 7-2 record (2-2 in DAL). "If we can get better, then we'll have a good chance to make a good run in the Division III playoffs. And some of that is because we play good teams like that in league."
Senior quarterback Tim Tague has been the star for the Mats, throwing 30 touchdowns in nine games. For Tague, 11 of those touchdowns have been on connections with senior Nick Foster. Schram praised his offensive line for giving the signal-caller the time required to find all those open receivers.
"The line's done extremely well," Schram said. "Tim's scrambled a few times, but really as far as just getting out and not getting sacked, our line has done an exceptional job all year to protect Tim."
After edging Concord 42-34 at home on Oct. 28, the Mats close out the league schedule by making a trip to Acalanes on Nov. 4.
"This will be the most fun for not only me, but also all the kids," said Acalanes head coach Floyd Burnsed.
The Dons, who have posted an 4-5 record (1-3 in league) during Burnsed's first year in charge, lost the first of their back-to-back rivalry games against Campolindo on Oct. 28.
"I think the kids are doing well," Burnsed said. "We put in a new program this year and all new systems. The kids are adapting really well and I think we're playing pretty well."
No Dons have stood out more than junior quarterback Robby Rowell and senior linebacker Sterling Butler.
"(Robbie's) been a steady leader all year and on defense Sterling has just been really steady for us and a very good leader for us," Burnsed said.
Like the Mats, the Dons are set to participate in the NCS Division III postseason. They'll find out where that journey begins following the seeding meeting on Nov. 6.
"I think we will be in postseason," Burnsed said. "It's just a matter of where our seed would be."
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Lamorinda Weekly, Moraga CA