American Canyon High School celebrated a victorious Senior Night on October 27, 2023, defeating Petaluma High School 35-14 in a decisive performance. The Wolves showcased a strong defensive effort, particularly in the latter part of the first quarter, which propelled them to remain unbeaten in the Vine Valley Athletic League with a record of 3-0.
The match started off slow for American Canyon, but the momentum shifted after senior Cole Gholar intercepted a pass from Petaluma quarterback Aidan Wirtz late in the first quarter. This pivotal play sparked the Wolves’ defense, which did not allow another point until just under five minutes remaining in the game. “We had to move the line over a little and make little adjustments just to make sure we were in the right gaps,” Gholar explained.
The interception occurred shortly after Petaluma scored a touchdown, capping a 10-play drive that primarily featured rushing plays. Just minutes prior, American Canyon had equalized the score when sophomore quarterback Kameron Hunter connected with Webster Burks for a 73-yard touchdown pass. Burks recounted the moment, stating, “Kameron told me ‘go deep, beat him outside,’ and that’s exactly what I did.”
Defensive Dominance and Offensive Firepower
American Canyon’s head coach, Marcellus Holmes, noted the team’s ability to adjust their gameplay. “Michael Chisley had a great game plan with his triple-option offense. The big difference seemed to be us getting those three turnovers,” he said. The Wolves’ defense not only limited the Trojans but also provided crucial opportunities for their offense to capitalize.
Following Gholar’s interception, the Wolves established a strong ground game with contributions from senior Andre Lopez and junior Isaac Anderson. Lopez rushed for 97 yards on 11 carries, while Anderson made his mark with 81 yards on just three attempts. His standout moment came with a 44-yard touchdown run, followed by another score of 11 yards in the second quarter, extending the lead to 22-7.
Holmes praised Anderson’s versatility, referring to him as the team’s “American Army Knife.” The Wolves also excelled in the passing game, with Hunter throwing for 196 yards and two touchdowns, both to Burks. The second touchdown came just as the first half concluded, a 16-yard strike that put American Canyon ahead 28-7.
Despite a second interception by Jamar Choyce Jr., the Wolves could not convert that opportunity into points. However, their third takeaway resulted in a touchdown when Chamari Urrutia recovered a fumble, allowing teammate Marcus-jasiri Hughes to score on a 1-yard run, further extending their lead to 35-7.
A Night to Remember
Petaluma managed a late touchdown by Evan Clarke, who rushed for an impressive 169 yards on 34 carries, but it was too late to change the outcome. The Wolves’ strong performance capped off a memorable Senior Night, allowing Gholar to reflect on the significance of the win. “It feels amazing to get this win on Senior Night. Last year we didn’t get the dub, but this year we made sure to come away with a win,” he said.
With this victory, American Canyon improved to 6-1 overall and remains a formidable contender in their league. The Wolves will look to continue their success when they face Napa High School next week.
