American Canyon dominates Sonoma Valley in Vine Valley league play

It was a promising start, after all. When the Sonoma Valley Dragons kicked off to visiting American Canyon Friday night, the Wolves fumbled and the Dragons took over just 16 yards from pay dirt. A score seemed inevitable, even ordained.

But four rushing attempts moved the ball exactly four feet the wrong direction, and the Wolves took control, never to give it back.

“They were just, bigger, stronger, faster. Our kids got frustrated and couldn’t get out of it,” said Head Coach Bob Midgley. “That’s probably the most physical team we’ve played to this point.”

Overwhelmed by the visiting team’s size and speed, the Dragons were unable to stop a series of long drives and turnovers that resulted in three first quarter touchdowns, five in the first half.

Meanwhile the Dragon offense went nowhere. Quarterback Trent Garrett, who went down with a bruised rib early in the second half, and Jake Baker had identical passing records – two throws, no receptions, one interception each. Total passing yards: 0.

Wolves quarterback Vance Eschenburg didn’t need to throw too often, either, just three times. While Matt Norrbom grabbed a third-quarter interception, in the end the one reception that mattered went to Brandon Seay for a 23-yard TD.

The Dragon running game too was stymied: 37 gained, but 31 lost – a total of six yards gained on 29 carries. Top runner for the Dragons was again Tyler Winslow (4 carries for 11 yards), but something was off: he didn’t get many touches, and his usual runninback slot was filled by sophomore Lawson Lee, promoted from the JV squad.

Lee had the most carries on the team (7 for just 10 yards), followed by Andrew Beatty (6 for 9 yards), Manny Plancarte (2 for 7). Trent Garrett, Ryan Sherwood and Baker all ended up with negative yards gained.

Neither was Winslow the dominant defensive anchor he’s been in the past. He seemed unsteady in warm-ups, nursing a groin sprain from last week’s game and though he made a valiant effort his play was not up to his usual high standards.

The Sonoma Valley team all made a valiant effort, in fact, fighting doubly hard for fewer yards on every hike. They did slow the assault in the second half, giving up only two scores, but in the end it didn’t make much difference.

“Games like that, I take the blame, it’s my fault more than theirs,” said Midgley. “l made the game plan.”

The Wolves dominated in every way, taking advantage of their deeper roster of 48 active players to 24 for the Dragons, and aggressive play on both sides of the ball. It netted them over 400 yards rushing and a 47-0 victory, their second in VVAL play (2-4 overall).

Meanwhile, Sonoma Valley drops to 1-1 in the league, 2-4 on the year. They’ll try for another Vine Valley win on Friday Sept. 28 against Napa’s Justin-Siena, 0-2 in the league and 3-3 overall.

On Monday, the week started over for the Varsity Dragons. “Kids seem in pretty good shape this morning,” said Midgley, “and ready to go after Justin.”

Game time is 7 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 28, at Arnold Field.

Junior Varsity: Some offensive excitement was generated by Sonoma Valley’s JV team, when they scored four straight touchdowns in the quarter to close the score from 45-7 to 45-32. But the rally stalled out and the AC JV went on to win, 57-34.

It was that kind of night.