November 16th 2024.
Tristan Tia had an impressive performance for Amador Valley as they dominated Las Lomas in the North Coast Section Division II quarterfinals. Tia, who is committed to Oregon State, effortlessly maneuvered through Las Lomas' tough defense for a total of 274 yards and four touchdowns through the air, as well as another touchdown on the ground. Wide receiver Anthony Harrington was Tia's go-to target, catching all four of his passing touchdowns and racking up 168 yards. Amador Valley coach Danny Jones couldn't help but praise both Tia and Harrington, calling them "ballers" and "incredible playmakers."
The game got off to a fast start, with both teams making explosive plays down the field. Tia connected with Harrington for three touchdowns in the first half, while Las Lomas quarterback Dylan Thomas kept his team in the game with a touchdown pass to tight end Daniel Downes and a 59-yard bomb to Roman Mercado. At halftime, Amador Valley led 22-15.
But it was in the third quarter where Amador Valley really took control of the game. They erupted for 20 points, effectively shutting down Las Lomas' chances of a comeback. "Once the second half started, you could tell they were just kind of done," Tia said. "We took advantage of that and scored the first touchdown, and then just kept the momentum going from there."
Amador Valley's defense also played a crucial role in securing the win. Safety Tommy Vespi made a huge interception in the third quarter, giving the Dons possession of the ball and setting up a touchdown drive. Nehemiah Fungula also had an interception, leading to another scoring opportunity for Amador Valley.
Head coach Danny Jones acknowledged that it took a little while for his team to settle into the game, but once they did, they were unstoppable. "It seems like this team takes a little bit longer to settle in," he said.
Las Lomas coach Doug Longero was disappointed with how his team played in the third quarter, calling it an "implosion." But he couldn't deny the talent of Tia, saying, "He's a Pac-12 player. He's very loose and throws a tight spiral. He throws an accurate ball. He's just overall an all-around good player."
With this win, Amador Valley advances to the semifinals and will host the winner of Casa Grande and Windsor. Harrington knows that trust and teamwork will be key to their success in the playoffs, saying, "We just have to trust in ourselves and our roles as a team. That's what it comes down to at the end of the day." Las Lomas' season may have come to an end, but they can still be proud of their key wins over Acalanes and Vintage throughout the year.
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