In short: Acalanes Dons high school football (Lafayette, CA), 2026 season: 7-1 in the Diablo - Foothill League. Last game: W 57-20 vs Clayton Valley Charter on October 23, 2026. Next: at Campolindo, October 30, 2026. Schedule and results, player season stats, stat leaders, unit grades, ScorePirate ranking and the game-by-game log.
The turnover battle could decide Acalanes' next game, against Campolindo, and the recent returns favor Campolindo. Acalanes forced 2.5 takeaways per game over its first 4 games (3-1), #13 in Section in that timeframe. In the 4 games since that hot start (4-0), the Dons have forced 0.8 takeaways per game, a 70% drop, #64 in Section in that window. The schedule has a lot to do with it: Acalanes' last 4 opponents have averaged 1.2 per game, a #56 offense in Section on the season, against 1.5 per game, #72 for the first 4. Measured against those opponents' norms (1.2 per game), Acalanes forced 39% fewer turnovers than those offenses usually give up. The level of competition matters too: in ScorePirate's SP Strength Index, the last 4 opponents average a rating that would rank #34 in Section, well below the first 4 (#12), which makes the dip harder to excuse. Conversely, Campolindo's ball security has been one of Section's better units in recent weeks. The Cougars have committed 0.2 giveaways per game over their last 4 games (3-1), #8 in Section during that time. Those games came against some of the weaker defenses in Section (0.6 per game on the season, which would rank #93). Against those norms, Campolindo turned it over 57% less than those defenses usually force. Unless Acalanes' defense rediscovers its early form, the edge in this matchup belongs to Campolindo.
The number to watch when Acalanes meets Campolindo is Acalanes' scoring defense. Acalanes allowed 26.5 points per game over its first 4 games (3-1), #69 in Section through those games. In the 4 games since that slow start (4-0), the Dons have allowed 13.8 points per game, a 48% drop, #21 in Section through that stretch. The schedule doesn't explain it: the opponents in both stretches have averaged about 20.1 points per game on the season. Measured against those opponents' norms (19.5 points per game), Acalanes held those offenses 29% below what they usually score. The level of competition matters too: in ScorePirate's SP Strength Index, the last 4 opponents average a rating that would rank #34 in Section, well below the first 4 (#12), so the recent production comes against lower-level teams overall. Conversely, Campolindo's offense has been one of Section's better units in recent weeks. The Cougars have averaged 31.5 points per game over their last 4 games (3-1), #36 in Section over that stretch. Those games came against a middle-of-the-pack set of scoring defenses in Section (23.5 points per game on the season, which would rank #57). Against those norms, Campolindo scored 34% more than those defenses usually allow. Something has to give when Acalanes' surging defense meets one of Section's better units in Campolindo's. Acalanes is 6-0 this season when it holds opponents under 22, and 1-1 when it doesn't.
NOTES
Acalanes' ground game looks better on paper, but one afternoon is doing a lot of the work. Acalanes averaged 5.1 yards per carry (1,152 yards on 224 rushes) on the season, #65 in Section, but that number is boosted by a 359-yard game on 36 rushes against Clayton Valley Charter on 10/23. In all other games, Acalanes is at 4.2 yards per carry (793 yards on 188 rushes), a figure that would rank #84 in Section. Context matters here: Clayton Valley Charter's run defense ranks among the weakest in Section (9.4 yards per carry, #106 of 110), so that game says more about the opponent than about the unit itself. Against Campolindo, Acalanes draws one of the better run defenses (4.6 yards per carry, #25), so expect something closer to the 4.2 version.
The biggest shift in Acalanes' season has come in its offense. The Dons averaged 7.1 yards per play (1,884 yards on 266 snaps) over their first 4 games (3-1), #34 in Section within that period. In the 4 games since that slow start (4-0), Acalanes has averaged 9.2 yards per play (1,921 yards on 209 snaps), a 30% rise, #13 in Section across those games. The schedule deserves some of the credit: Acalanes' last 4 opponents have averaged 8.0 yards per play, a #88 defense in Section on the season, against 6.0 yards per play, #32 for the first 4. Measured against those opponents' norms (8.0 yards per play), Acalanes gained 14% more per snap than those defenses usually allow. The level of competition matters too: in ScorePirate's SP Strength Index, the last 4 opponents average a rating that would rank #34 in Section, well below the first 4 (#12), so the recent production comes against lower-level teams overall. On the season, the Dons rank #23 in Section in yards per play. That form gets a real test against Campolindo, whose defense ranks #20 in Section (5.5 yards per play).
Acalanes' passing game has come a long way since the season's early weeks. Acalanes averaged 9.5 yards per pass attempt (1,090 yards on 115 attempts) over its first 3 games (2-1), #23 in Section during those games. In the 5 games since that slow start (5-0), the Dons have averaged 11.5 yards per pass attempt (1,563 yards on 136 attempts), a 21% rise, #12 in Section during that period. The schedule deserves some of the credit: Acalanes' last 5 opponents have averaged 9.9 yards per attempt, a #90 pass defense in Section on the season, against 7.9 yards per attempt, #59 for the first 3. Measured against those opponents' norms (9.9 yards per attempt), Acalanes threw for 16% more per attempt than those pass defenses usually allow. On the season, Acalanes ranks #13 in Section in passing. Campolindo's pass defense sits in the middle of the pack, #42 in Section (7.1 yards per attempt).
Something changed for Acalanes' offense after its first 4 games. The Dons averaged 39.0 points per game over their first 4 games (3-1), #12 in Section during that stretch. In the 4 games since that slow start (4-0), Acalanes has averaged 45.0 points per game, a 15% rise, #6 in Section over that period. The schedule deserves some of the credit: Acalanes' last 4 opponents have averaged 27.2 points per game, a #72 scoring defense in Section on the season, against 22.7 points per game, #54 for the first 4. Measured against those opponents' norms (27.2 points per game), Acalanes scored 66% more than those defenses usually allow. The level of competition matters too: in ScorePirate's SP Strength Index, the last 4 opponents average a rating that would rank #34 in Section, well below the first 4 (#12), so the recent production comes against lower-level teams overall. On the season, the Dons rank #6 in Section in scoring. That form gets a real test against Campolindo, whose defense ranks #23 in Section (16.8 points per game).
TIDBITS (13 found)
• Club Acalanes has won 5 straight, and a win would make it 6 in a row. The last time they won 6 or more in a row was 2025, a run of 11.
• Club Acalanes has gone 19 straight games committing fewer than 3 turnovers (September 5, 2025 through October 23, 2026), going 17-2 over that stretch, a school-record 19 straight in the 5 seasons on record.
• Club Acalanes is 32-1 all time when scoring 40+ points. Acalanes's last loss when scoring 40+ points was December 6, 2024 against Carmel (L, 41-42).
• Club Acalanes is 29-2 all time when averaging 7.0+ yards per play. Acalanes's last loss when averaging 7.0+ yards per play was September 11, 2026 against Sicp (L, 38-42).
• Club Acalanes is 22-2 all time when rushing for 150+ yards. Acalanes's last loss when rushing for 150+ yards was December 6, 2024 against Carmel (L, 41-42).
• Player Tyler Winkles has gone 33 straight games throwing a touchdown pass, the longest such streak of his career.
• Club Acalanes has scored 222 points over its last 5 games (44.4 a game, September 18, 2026 through October 23, 2026) -- its 4th-highest 5-game total on record; the most is 251, from September 22, 2023 through October 20, 2023.
• Club Acalanes has gone 4 straight games averaging 5.0+ yards per carry (September 25, 2026 through October 23, 2026), going 4-0 over that stretch, the program's longest such streak since 2025 (5 games).
• Player Tyler Winkles has 1347 passing yards over his last 4 games (336.8 a game, September 18, 2026 through October 16, 2026) -- his most in a 4-game stretch on record.
• Player Jackson Boselli has 450 receiving yards over his last 4 games (112.5 a game, September 18, 2026 through October 16, 2026) -- his most in a 4-game stretch on record.
• Player Jackson Boselli has 4 touchdown catches over his last 3 games (1.3 a game, September 25, 2026 through October 16, 2026) -- his most in a 3-game stretch on record.
• Player Finley Rivera has gone 3 straight games catching a touchdown pass, the 3rd-longest such streak of his career. He also had a career-best streak of 6 straight games catching a touchdown pass, during the 2025 season.
• Player Finley Rivera has 395 receiving yards over his last 3 games (131.7 a game, September 25, 2026 through October 16, 2026) -- his most in a 3-game stretch since the 401 he had from September 12, 2025 through September 26, 2025.
SCHEDULE STRENGTH
Acalanes has played one of the toughest schedules in the pool so far (#11 of 113), and what is left is one of the toughest slates (#16 of 108).
Schedule so far · 1 = hardest
#11 of 113
avg opponent rating 15.5 over 8 games · 4 vs top-25 CIF North Coast Section
Schedule ahead · 1 = hardest
#16 of 108
avg opponent rating 16.3 over 2 games · 2 vs top-25
@Archbish… W 35-14@Menlo-At… W 41-13St Ignat… L 38-42Marin Ca… W 42-37American… W 42-15@Las Lomas W 35-10Miramonte W 46-10@Clayton … W 57-20@Campolin…Benicia
Each bar is one opponent, placed by where its rating ranks in this pool (tall and red = top 10; short and green = bottom half). Hatched bars are games still to play; the dashed line is today.
MILESTONE WATCH
Acalanes
Tyler Winkles needs 172 passing yards for 2,500 (averaging 332.6 a game)
Joaquin Bordi needs 37 rushing yards for 500 (averaging 66.1 a game)
Jackson Boselli needs 1 receiving touchdown for 10 (averaging 1.3 a game)
Finley Rivera needs 116 receiving yards for 1,000 (averaging 126.3 a game)
Win chances are the site's own game projections where one is on file, otherwise the SP Strength Index gap with a small home edge. The realistic range covers 80% of outcomes (10th to 90th percentile).
Every player with a stat on file, listed only where he has one. Open the arrow beside a name for his game-by-game line. Stats through the Oct 16 game; last updated Oct 21; roster and numbers checked Oct 6.
Click a column heading to sort. MIN hides players below that many attempts.
Diablo - Foothill LEAGUE CHAMPION (5-1 in league, shared with LAS LOMAS)
2022
Diablo - Foothill LEAGUE CHAMPION (4-1 in league)
Section and state results and Players of the Year: CIF-SS Record Book. League finishes judged from league schedules on file (2022-2025 seasons); earlier league titles are not on file.
PPG/OPP PPG use every played game on file. YPG/PLAYS-PER-GAME columns only ever come from games with a full box score on file, which can be a smaller sample than GP -- see the coverage note below when that's the case for this team.
Averages use only games with that number on file (defense 5/8, sacks/INT 7/8, sacks allowed 4/8 games). SACKS ALW comes from the opponent's box score; TO FORCED is takeaways; TO MAR is takeaways minus giveaways, and its bottom cell is the season total. Dashes mean not on file.
UNIT INDEX
Pass Offense: grade 96.2/100 (+152 yds/gm vs average)
Rush Offense: grade 58.8/100 (+8 yds/gm vs average)
Pass Defense: grade 89.1/100 (-71 yds/gm vs average)
Rush Defense: grade 81.8/100 (-72 yds/gm vs average)
Unit grades: 0-100 league percentile, opponent-curved (two-way solve over current + past seasons, recency-weighted). Composite counts yardage, efficiency vs league YPA/YPC (50% tilt), and negative plays at sack=7yd, INT=45yd, TFL=4yd -- adjustable v1 constants.
COACHING
Joel Isaac (Coach Blue) — head coach since 2026 (earlier on file: Floyd Burnsed, Joel Isaac)
ACA finished 2025 at 11-1. Made the playoffs (2 postseason game(s) on file; exact round/result not available). Notable win: 45-28 over CAMPOLINDO (CAMPOLINDO finished 75% that season). Toughest loss: 17-52 to CARDINAL NEWMAN (35-point margin).
"N/A" stands in for a box score that does not have stats entered. A total followed by a count in parentheses covers only the games with that stat on file.
TALKING POINTS (15 storylines)
ACA HAS PERFORMED BEST THIS DATA SET WHEN...
• ACA holds its opponents under 5.0 yards per carry (.999), and has won 18 straight when doing so
• ACA averages 8.0+ yards per attempt (.923), and has won 4 straight when doing so
• ACA holds its opponents under 7.0 yards per play (.909), and has won 14 straight when doing so
• ACA holds its opponents under 8.0 yards per attempt (.947), and has won 13 straight when doing so
• ACA's offense has averaged 0.3 giveaways per game over their last 3 games. Their 34-game average is 1.5 giveaways per game. (-77%)
• ACA's defense has averaged 0.7 takeaways per game over their last 3 games. Their 34-game average is 2.1 takeaways per game. (-69%)
• ACA's defense has averaged 56.0 rush yards per game over their last 3 games. Their 28-game average is 138.1 rush yards per game. (-59%)
• ACA holds its opponents under 150 rushing yards and under 200 passing yards
• ACA's defense has averaged 3.8 YPA over their last 3 games. Their 28-game average is 6.7 YPA. (-44%)
• ACA's defense has averaged 161.0 total yards per game over their last 3 games. Their 28-game average is 285.0 total yards per game. (-44%)
• ACA's defense has averaged 3.4 YPP over their last 3 games. Their 28-game average is 5.8 YPP. (-42%)
• ACA's offense has exceeded 100 rush yds in 4 straight games (09/25/2026-10/23/2026), going 4-0 over that stretch.
• ACA's offense has exceeded 5.0 YPC in 4 straight games (09/25/2026-10/23/2026), going 4-0 over that stretch.
• ACA holds its opponents under 150 rushing yards while forcing 2+ takeaways
• ACA's defense has averaged 2.8 YPC over their last 3 games. Their 28-game average is 4.5 YPC. (-38%)
• ACALANES has scored 30+ in 8 straight games (8/28/26–10/23/26). It has not reached 9 straight in the last 4 years of games on file (2023-present).
• ACALANES has won by 20+ in 4 straight games (9/25/26–10/23/26). It has not won by 20+ in 5 straight since 9/22/23–10/27/23 (2023).
• ACALANES has gained 400+ total yards in 2 straight games (10/16/26–10/23/26). It has not gained 400+ total yards in 3 straight since 9/4/26–9/25/26 (2026). It has reached 3 straight 4 times in the last 4 years and has reached a high of 5 straight (2023) in that span.
• ACALANES has scored 40+ in 2 straight games (10/16/26–10/23/26). It has not scored 40+ in 3 straight since 9/5/25–10/3/25 (2025). It has reached 3 straight 2 times in the last 4 years and has reached a high of 5 straight (2023) in that span.
ACA's defense has averaged 0.7 takeaways per game over their last 3 games. Their 34-game average is 2.1 takeaways per game. (-69%)
ACA's defense has averaged 56.0 rush yards per game over their last 3 games. Their 28-game average is 138.1 rush yards per game. (-59%)
ACA's defense has averaged 3.8 YPA over their last 3 games. Their 28-game average is 6.7 YPA. (-44%)
ACA's defense has averaged 161.0 total yards per game over their last 3 games. Their 28-game average is 285.0 total yards per game. (-44%)
ACA's defense has averaged 3.4 YPP over their last 3 games. Their 28-game average is 5.8 YPP. (-42%)
ACA's defense has averaged 2.8 YPC over their last 3 games. Their 28-game average is 4.5 YPC. (-38%)
ACA's defense has averaged 13.3 points allowed per game over their last 3 games. Their 34-game average is 20.1 points allowed per game. (-34%)
ACA's defense has averaged 105.0 pass yards per game over their last 3 games. Their 28-game average is 146.9 pass yards per game. (-29%)
(moved to the Appendix, Data Export 1, to keep this section shorter -- the full spreadsheet-paste table is there unchanged)
APPENDIX
Full-length explanations and full-size data exports for the shortened notes and relocated tables referenced throughout this report, numbered in the order their pointers appear above.
Explanatory Notes
Note 1 -- SEASON OUTLOOK
Every remaining game is projected from schedule-adjusted ratings; already-played games carry their real result. Records are simulated distributions, not a single guess -- MOST LIKELY FINAL is the single most probable record and its own probability, PROJECTED RECORD is the season's expected win total expressed in record form (an average across every simulated outcome, so it can land on a fraction of a game).
Note 2 -- OPPONENT TRACKER -- why some cards have no record shown
Only meaningful for an opponent who is ALSO a tracked team in the library -- an opponent with no games on file here at all shows the date and site alone.
Note 3 -- MOST IMPORTANT NUMBERS -- how a number is scored
Every split this report computes is scored on four weighted criteria and the top 5 per team are listed. In Cooper's own weighting order: (1) the WIN% attached to the condition, counted only when the condition has occurred at least 8 times -- a smaller sample is dropped outright, not discounted; (2) the PPG attached to it, with higher better on offense and lower better on defense, and each side normalized against its own kind so a defensive number competes with defensive numbers rather than against scoring averages; (3) how far the number sits from the OPPONENT's on the same condition, across win%, PPG and how often the condition happens at all; and (4) where it falls among every other team previously run through this workbook and cached. Criteria 1 and 2 measure how strong a number is; 3 and 4 measure how much it distinguishes this team. Weights: win_pct 40%, ppg 27%, matchup 20%, pool 13%. See important_numbers.py.
Full Data Exports
Data Export 1 -- TRENDS — TAB-SEPARATED (10 columns)
Where ACALANES sits among 109 section teams on the two Unit Index composites -- Offense Grade 74.1, Defense Grade 81.1.
PASS YARDS / GAME: ACALANES VS THE SECTION
ACALANES ranks #1 of 81 section teams in passing yards per game (363.3) -- a strength worth a look.
ACALANES: SP STRENGTH INDEX BY SEASON
The program's index across 5 seasons on file -- 21.0 in 2022 to 24.9 in 2026.
These graphs were chosen by the program from this season's most notable numbers. Build your own -- any stat against any other, for any mix of teams, seasons or players, with a JPEG download -- in the Graph Builder.
