CIF-North Coast Section: Sophomore Dominic Kelley bails out battered De La Salle over Amador Valley

Sophomore running back rushes for 204 yards and three touchdowns in 27-7 victory

PLEASANTON, Calif. — The banged-up and battered De La Salle High School-Concord football team found itself in trouble yet again on October 28. The Spartans were trailing at Amador Valley-Pleasanton late in the first half, 7-0. Starting running back Charles Greer was in street clothes thanks to an injury. Fullback Dylan Greeson had left the game with an injury.

De La Salle was down to Derrick Blanche out of its normal running back rotation. And sophomore Dominic Kelley, whom Spartans coach Justin Alumbaugh had been suggesting might start to get more carries as the season progressed.

Kelley came through big time. He ended up scoring three touchdowns on runs of 70, 23 and 75 yards. By the time the night was over, Kelley had rushed for 204 yards on just nine carries, lifting the Spartans to a 27-7 win to improve to 6-3. They've won three straight and the defense has allowed just 17 points. 

Things will get much tougher next week when De La Salle travels to Clayton Valley Charter-Concord (6-3), winners of five straight including 55-6 Friday at Monte Vista-Danville.

Kelley first came on in the second quarter after Greeson's injury. He ran for six yards and a first down on a third-and-5. Quarterback Toa Fa'avae later broke loose on a 55-yard touchdown run to tie the score.

Journey McKoy (11), De La Salle. File photo: Ralph Thompson

The second half belonged to Kelley. De La Salle forced an Amador Valley punt. The Spartans started at their own 21. After Journey McKoy took an end around for nine yards, Kelley took a handoff and cut off the left side of the line, broke free and ran 70 yards for a touchdown.

“It was Power right there,” Kelley said. “I had to bounce it out and score. I had to get the job done.”

The Dons (4-5) went for a fourth-and-1 on their next possession and Brady Nassar was stuffed after taking the handoff. De La Salle took over on the Amador Valley 31. A short run and a penalty were followed by Kelley rushing for 10 and then Kelley taking a handoff, smashing through the line on the left guard and then breaking through traffic for a 23-yard touchdown.

The killer came after Amador Valley punted on the first play of the fourth quarter. The Spartans took over on the 25 and sent Kelley up the middle on a handoff. He blasted past everyone and scored his third touchdown.

“I kind of busted up the middle but broke the outside and made something happen,” Kelley said.

The Dons had taken a 7-0 lead in the first quarter on a 4-yard run by Jake Goldsworthy.

The Spartans continued to fight the injury bug. In addition to Greeson, they also lost offensive lineman Stefan Bakiev to a knee injury in the third quarter.

Alumbaugh said Greer is expected back next week. Linebacker Peter Rachwald, who missed the game with a shoulder injury, is more doubtful.

The Spartans conclude the regular season at Clayton Valley Charter-Concord Friday in a East Bay Athletic League Mountain Division game that has no barring on league title 

In its five-game win streak, the Eagles have outscored opponents 228-62. De La Salle has gone 262 games (261-0-1) and 31 seasons since losing to a North Coast Section team. The Eagles have a legitimate shot to end that streak.