The scoreboard read 42-14. It was never that close.
The Acalanes Dons controlled the crosstown rivalry game against the Campolindo Cougars from the first snap to the final whistle, winning every phase of the game and improving to 8-1 on the season.
Senior quarterback Tyler Winkles owned the night. He completed 12 of 18 passes for 237 yards, finding three different receivers for touchdowns. He also added 84 yards and two more scores on just four carries. By halftime the Dons led 28-7, and their defense made sure the Cougars never found a way back.
The Acalanes defense announced itself on the very first play of the game, dropping the Campolindo quarterback for a sack. It was a sign of things to come as the 11-man wall forced a three and out.
The offense took its cue. Facing fourth-and-four, Winkles hit senior Finley Rivera on a deep out, and Rivera turned the corner and raced another 40 yards for the game’s first score.
A few possessions later, senior tight end AJ Del Santo found himself wide open over the middle on back-to-back plays. The first went for 40 yards. The second was a 30-yard touchdown strike late in the first quarter that pushed the lead to 14-0.
Campolindo answered ear...