PLEASANTON — Tristan Tia made it look easy.
For three quarters, the Oregon State commit sliced and diced Las Lomas’ stingy defense to the tune of 274 yards and four touchdowns through the air and another on the ground as Amador Valley pummeled the visiting Knights 42-21 to advance to the North Coast Section Division II semifinals.
Wide receiver Anthony Harrington caught all four of Tia’s passing touchdowns and totaled 168 yards receiving.
“Those two guys are ballers,” Amador Valley coach Danny Jones said. “They’ve been our two best players. They’re just incredible playmakers.”
Amador Valley’s Tommy Vespi (9) runs with the ball against Las Lomas’ Dylan Thomas (12) in the second quarter at Amador Valley High School in Pleasanton, Calif., on Friday, Nov. 15, 2024. (Shae Hammond/Bay Area News Group)
The Dons erupted for 20 points in the third quarter, effectively ending Las Lomas’ chances before the fourth period arrived.
“Once the second half started, you can kind of tell that they’re just kind of done,” Tia said. “We took advantage of that, scored the first touchdown and then just stayed on the roll from there.”
An action-packed first half saw both teams find explosive plays down the field.
Tia found Harrington for three first-half scores from 16, 25 and 43 yards out.
Las Lomas quarterback Dylan Thomas kept the Knights in the game, finding tight end Daniel Downes for an 18-yard touchdown in the first quarter and Roman Mercado from 59 yards in the second.
Thomas passed for 286 yards and two touchdowns.
At halftime, Amador Valley led 22-15.
Amador Valley’s Aidan Foley (12) runs with the ball against Las Lomas’ Joshua Lim (17) in the first quarter at Amador Valley High School in Pleasanton, Calif., on Friday, Nov. 15, 2024. (Shae Hammond/Bay Area News Group)
The Dons wasted no time taking control of the game immediately after the halftime break. Running back Vince Maiorana opened the second half for Amador scoring on a 95-yard kick return to put the Dons up two scores.
On the ensuing possession, Las Lomas made headway, driving the ball into the red zone. But safety Tommy Vespi made a huge defensive play as he intercepted a pass to give the Dons the ball back with just under six minutes left in the third.
Tia and the scorching hot Amador Valley offense made good on Vespi’s interception, driving 86 yards in six plays. The Dons ended the series with a shifty Tia run into the end zone from nine yards out.
It only took one play for Amador Valley to get the ball back as Nehemiah Fungula intercepted another Las Lomas pass to give the Dons possession at the visitor’s 10-yard-line.
The Pleasanton school finally shut the door on Las Lomas when Tia found Harrington again for their fourth hook-up of the game on a 10-yard touchdown pass over the middle, making the score 42-15 two minutes before the start of the fourth quarter.
“It just kind of came down to us settling into the game,” Jones said. “It seems like this team takes a little bit longer to settle in.”
Amador Valley’s Ismael Duenas (20) runs with the ball against Las Lomas’ Colby Cooley (11) in the second quarter at Amador Valley High School in Pleasanton, Calif., on Friday, Nov. 15, 2024. (Shae Hammond/Bay Area News Group)
Las Lomas coach Doug Longero said he was disappointed with how his team played coming out of halftime.
“That third quarter we imploded,” Longero said.
Las Lomas’ defense had a difficult time containing Tia all night. The Granada transfer was most effective when he moved the pocket and made off-platform throws to receivers down field.
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“He’s a Pac-12 player,” Longero said. “He’s very loose and throws a tight spiral. He throws an accurate ball. He’s just overall an all-around good player.”
Las Lomas ends its season 7-4 with key wins over Acalanes and Vintage.
Amador Valley advances through the NCS Division II playoff bracket and will host the winner of Casa Grande and Windsor next Friday in the semifinals.
“We just have to trust in ourselves,” Harrington said about what Amador Valley needs to do to continue through the playoffs. “We just have to trust in our roles as a team. That’s what it comes down to at the end of the day.”
Las Lomas’ Roman Mercado (5) catches the ball for a touchdown against Amador Valley in the second quarter at Amador Valley High School in Pleasanton, Calif., on Friday, Nov. 15, 2024. (Shae Hammond/Bay Area News Group)