The Amador Valley High School football team clinched a spot in the NCS playoffs last night with a 16-6 victory over the California High Grizzlies on Amador’s senior night. 

Due to injuries affecting all three quarterbacks on Amador, the Dons pulled up freshman Jackson Visconti and senior defensive end Brady Nassar to play quarterback. They split snaps throughout the game with Visconti making a few throws and Nassar executing designed run plays.

Both teams struggled to drive the ball down the field during the first quarter. With six minutes left in the second quarter, Amador running back Jake Goldsworthy (‘24) rushed for a 4-yard touchdown to put the Dons up 7-0. 

The score was 7-6 when the Grizzlies came back to score a touchdown and missed the extra point. The Dons were forced to punt on fourth down, but a turnover on downs by Cal gave Amador the ball back at the 30-yard line.

After a 29-yard completion to Nate Jetter (‘24), Nassar powered his way in for a 1-yard touchdown which gave Amador a 13-6 lead at halftime. 

To begin the second half, Amador’s senior cornerback Jake Kramer intercepted a pass at the 10:11 mark. With 3:10 left in the third quarter, senior kicker Riley Balch hit a 35-yard field goal to stretch Amador’s lead to 10.

The defense made big plays down the stretch including an interception by Jetter late in the third quarter. A fourth-down stop by the Dons with under five minutes to go sealed the win for Amador on a celebratory night for its seniors. 

“Amador and Pleasanton (is) special, it’s where I’ve been my entire life. This is my home, it’s the last time (playing) at home, and it means something more,” said Nassar. “Coming out there and just playing hard means so much to me and that I can play good for these fans.”

Amador’s next opponent is currently undetermined and will be based on division seedings. Regardless, the Dons will continue working hard at practice as they head to the NCS playoffs. 

“I don’t think we need to change anything. We’re a really good team. If we play the way we played tonight, we can beat anyone in the league,” said Nassar.