ACALANES: GETTING HEALTHY AT THE RIGHT TIME

After capturing 3-AA regional and state crowns last season, Acalanes’ path to a second consecutive NorCal title and a berth in the 5-AA state championship game will run through Carmel on Friday night at Monterey Peninsula College. That’s a four-tier drop for the Lafayette program in regional levels between this year and last. The high-flying Dons captured the NCS Division III championship with a 20-17 victory over rival Campolindo on Friday, and did so shorthanded. Star receiver Niko White and linebacker Deonte Littlejohn both watched in street clothes, but could be back for regional play, Acalanes coach Floyd Burnsed told this news organization after the game. “Niko dressed out, but we decided not to play him so he could get healthy for next week, and Deonte, I think he was about the same at 80 percent or so,” Burnsed said. Both the 13-touchdown wideout and gamebreaking defender will be needed to keep pace with high-scoring Carmel (13-0). The unbeaten Padres, who boast Alabama commit Jackson Lloyd on the offensive line, have scored at 40 or more points in 10 games this season and have yet to be held under 30 points in any game. But Acalanes’ defense has bodies on the defensive line between 6-foot-4 Bethel Imasuen and 6-3 Drew McKenzie to give Carmel some problems. Acalanes quarterback Tyler Winkles and the offense should also have success against a Padres defense that allowed 46, 21 and 35 points in their CCS Division III playoff games. Meanwhile, Acalanes has given up 30 points in a  game once this season. 

– Joseph Dycus