On a chilly Friday night the Battle of Fleas took place between two long time rivals. Aragon defeated visiting Hillsdale Knights 61-28 to clinch a spot in the CCS Playoffs. This was the 21st straight win in the series for the Dons, who finished the regular season with a 7-3 record. Hillsdale concluded its season at 2-8.
The game is so named because both schools reside along the Alameda de las Pulgas - avenue of the fleas, in Spanish.
“Aragon is a great team - their record shows it," Hillsdale coach Mike Parodi said. "But, I am proud of my boys they played hard all season and put so much time and effort. We're going to continue to work hard."
The Dons started off the first quarter with a bang, as four plays into the game running back J.D. Elzie scored on a 46-yard touchdown to put the Dons up 7-0. Immediately after the score, on Hillsdale’s opening possession, Elzie intercepted quarterback Cole Carrithers. Two plays later, running back Marcel Jackson ran in an 18-yard touchdown to make it 14-0.
After forcing Hillsdale to punt, the Dons marched down the field in five plays, with Jackson topping it off with a 13-yard run for his second touchdown of the day.
On the first play of the second quarter, the Knights turned the ball over again, which eventually led to an eight-play drive that ended with powerful Patrick Pauni running into the end zone, to make it 28-0.
At this point the game appeared to be decided. There was not much of a chance for the Knights, down 28 unanswered points early in the second quarter. However, they made it a game when they scored two touchdowns late in the first half, on a touchdown throw from Carrithers to Butcher and then a 12-yard run by Pauni.
“Late in the first half it got real close,” said Aragon coach Steve Sell, “I felt that our defense broke down late in the first half. That was a huge touchdown by (Kyle) Kaye.”
The score was 35-14 at half and the Dons felt really good about their chances going into the locker room. Additionally, the defense really emerged in the second half.
Defensive back Isiah Atchan snagged an interception, his seventh of the year to crush Hillsdale’s hopes of a comeback. Four plays later, Elzie ran it in from 18 yards out to decide it for the Dons, making the score 42-14.
On the next drive, Carrithers threw a laser beam down the sideline, which resulted in a 40-yard catch and all of a suddenly it was a 42-21 game.
However, it was too late for the Knights. The first play of the fourth quarter, Nat Blood connected with Elzie who took it in for his third touchdown of the day. The score was now 49-21, and the Hillsdale crowd became silent, as it was for much of the game with its team down big.
Brandon Gordon delivered the dagger when he leaped in front of a Hillsdale receiver to make the interception and took it all the way to the end zone for a 41-yard touchdown.
Late in the fourth quarter, the Dons punched it in from 10 yards out to make it 61-21. Hillsdale, still battling hard, forced an Aragon fumble and scored on the ensuing drive.
“This was by no means a laugher," Sell said. "Hillsdale played extremely hard all game."
Defense keyed the blowout victory. The Dons converted three turnovers and put pressure on Hillsdale's quarterback all night long.
"Our defense, took a lot pressure off our offense," Blood said. "They played great all season."
However, Sell did not seem satisfied with his team's performance.
“Even though we got the win, we played porous at times," Sell said. "We need to improve on stopping the run and closing out games. With that said, I am proud of my team this year; they exceeded my expectations.”
The Dons finished the regular season at 7-3, including a 5-0 home record. They now look forward to the CCS playoffs.
The season has ended for the Knights. Nevertheless, Hillsdale battled really hard all season and looks to improve next year, bringing many of their starters back including Carrithers.
“I am looking forward to next year," Parodi said. "We're going to work hard this season. I will definitely improve."
