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Dragons topple Redwood in opener

Deely, defense spark Sonoma’s 36-0 shutout; at Terra Linda Saturday; JVs

In their earliest-ever season opener, the Sonoma Valley High School varsity football boys didn’t need an early wake-up call Friday night, as they jumped out to a 14-0 first-quarter lead over visiting nonleague Redwood behind the running and passing of junior quarterback Dan Deely at Arnold Field.

The Dragons then increased their defensive pressure and turned in a shutdown performance, which included teaming with special teams in recording a pair of safeties, and enabling the offense to score three more big-play touchdowns en route to a one-sided 36-0 victory.

Making his first varsity start at quarterback after being an all-league running back last year as a sophomore, Deely was responsible for four of Sonoma’s five touchdowns against the Giants. He ran a two-yard bootleg into the end-zone for the first score, and, though he only completed nine of 26 passes for 156 yards, three of his tosses were for touchdowns.

Deely first hooked up with senior wide receiver Brennan Cole for a 13-yard scoring strike, followed by a screen pass to senior running back Justin McDonald, which turned into a 40-yard catch-and-run touchdown, and then he capped his stellar evening with a 17-yard touchdown pass-play to senior wide receiver Dustin Sloane.

In the fourth-quarter, Sonoma’s junior backup quarterback, Mitch Hood, racked up the final points of the evening with a 52-yard touchdown pass-play to senior wide receiver John Buckley.

Completing the scoring were Cole’s two extra-point kicks and a safety each by the dominating defense – led by tenacious seniors all-league defensive end Jonny Amandoli  and linebacker Sean Forney and, whose first-quarter interception set up the first touchdown – and special teams, with junior Brandon Santana recovering a fumble.

Comprising the 2012 Sonoma varsity football team – directed by head coach Mick O’Meara, defensive coordinator Mike Mulas and assistant coaches Damien Magnani, Mike Sangiacomo, Steve Sangiacomo, Chris Hoke, Ray Sullivan Jr. and Malcolm Sims – are seniors Amandoli, Buckley,  Cole, Forney, McDonald, Sloan, Danny Banales, Jacob Bollman, Vincent Bruton, Joseph Cotter, Justin Crockett, Sam Denning, John Engebreth, Jose Heredia, Bryn Hubbenette, Brian Hurley, Chris Lopez, Skyler Marciel, Steven McVeigh, Jarvis Medel, Richie Nunez, Alex Ohan, Hosea Reyes, Trevor Severson, Mike Stovall and Keenan Tuohy; juniors Deely, Hood, Santana Hank Anderson, Austin Baily, Joe Decker, Cordell Kenniston, Jeff McGunagle, Michael Malkassian, Ed Pomeroy and Matthew Robinson; and sophomores Seth August and Trevor Welch.

The Dragon gridders will continue their nonleague games against Marin County teams when they travel to Terra Linda this Saturday, Sept. 1, before hosting San Marin on Friday, Sept. 7.

 

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Sonoma junior varsity football team also posted a win in its season opener by beating Redwood 19-14 behind sophomores Tristan Mertens’ two touchdown runs, Gabe Bernstein’s one touchdown run, Noe Baron’s extra-point kick and pivotal 55-yard punt, and Cyle Gusse’s interception.

 

Dragons of the Week

 

The Dragons of the Week in Sonoma’s 36-0 season-opening win over nonleague Redwood Friday night at Arnold Field were Dan Deely, Dustin Sloane, Matthew Robinson and Sean Forney.

Deely, a 6-foot, 180-pound junior quarterback, was directly responsible for 24 points by throwing three touchdown passes and scoring on a bootleg run.

Sloane, a 5-foot, 10-inch, 160-pound senior wide receiver, caught four passes for 75 yards, including a 17-yard touchdown grab.

Robinson, a 6-4, 260-pound junior lineman, turned in a solid all-around effort at the center position.

Forney, a 6-0, 185-pound senior linebacker, was a defensive standout, racking up numerous tackles, two for losses, and making a key first-quarter interception which led to a touchdown.

The Dragons of the Week are sponsored by Eraldi’s Men’s Wear and Shoes, and Broadway Market.