The high school football season in California continues to heat up as the Menlo-Atherton Bears prepare to take on the Acalanes Dons in a much-anticipated non-conference clash. Scheduled for Friday, September 5, 2025, at 7 p.m., the game will take place at Acalanes High School in Lafayette, CA. Fans of both programs are eager to see how these two squads measure up early in the season.
Menlo-Atherton vs Acalanes Football Game Info:
What: California High School Football
Who: Menlo-Atherton vs Acalanes
When: Friday, September 5, 2025
Time: 7 PM
Live stream: Watch here
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Team Records Heading into the Matchup
The Bears enter this contest still seeking their first win of the season. Menlo-Atherton stands at 0-1 overall, with their lone game ending in a tough loss that exposed some areas needing improvement. They have yet to play at home and currently average just 7 points per game, while allowing 41 points defensively.
Meanwhile, the Dons are coming off an impressive season-opening victory and carry momentum into this matchup. Acalanes is 1-0 overall, boasting a decisive 33-12 win over Archbishop Mitty in their opener. That performance highlighted their offensive firepower and defensive discipline.
Rankings Breakdown
- Menlo-Atherton Bears
- National: 3,412
- California: 240
- Section: 14
- Acalanes Dons
- National: 835
- California: 75
- Section: 4 (Division 1)
The rankings reveal the difference in early-season form. Acalanes enters the game as the stronger side statistically, but Menlo-Atherton will be looking to defy expectations.
Offensive & Defensive Averages
- Menlo-Atherton Bears (per game):
- Rushing Yards: 97.0
- Passing Yards: 91.0
- Total Yards: 188.0
- Tackles: 38.0
- Sacks: 1.0
- Acalanes Dons (per game):
- Rushing Yards: 48.0
- Passing Yards: 249.0
- Total Yards: 297.0
- Tackles: 60.0
- Sacks: 3.0
Acalanes relies heavily on its aerial attack, while Menlo-Atherton leans more toward balance but struggles to convert drives into points.
Scoring by Quarter
- Menlo-Atherton
- Q1: 0
- Q2: 7
- Q3: 0
- Q4: 0
- Average Final Score: 7.0
- Acalanes
- Q1: 14.0
- Q2: 6.0
- Q3: 6.0
- Q4: 7.0
- Average Final Score: 33.0
The Dons strike early and often, while the Bears have only managed to score in the second quarter of their opening game.
Key Players to Watch
Menlo-Atherton Bears:
- #33 Monty Turner – 30.0 rushing yards per game.
- #10 Teddy Dacey – 91.0 passing yards per game; 111.0 total yards per game.
- #2 Jacob Roeder – 41.0 receiving yards per game.
- #31 Joel Fifita – 6.0 tackles per game.
- #56 Toa Walker – 1.0 sack per game.
Acalanes Dons:
- #21 Josh Elerts – 46.0 rushing yards per game.
- #6 Tyler Winkles – 249.0 passing yards per game; 254.0 total yards per game.
- #13 Finley Rivera – 158.0 receiving yards per game.
- #11 Carson Wellington – 9.0 tackles per game.
- #0 Deonte Littlejohn – 2.0 sacks per game.
The Bears will rely on quarterback Teddy Dacey to spark their offense, while the Dons’ passing duo of Tyler Winkles and Finley Rivera looks to build on their early success.
Common Opponent: Archbishop Mitty
One point of comparison between the two programs is their matchup against Archbishop Mitty:
- Acalanes: Defeated Archbishop Mitty 33-12 on August 29, 2025.
- Menlo-Atherton: Set to face Archbishop Mitty on September 11, 2025.
This gives the Dons a clear early advantage, as they’ve already proven their ability to handle Mitty with confidence.
Record Breakdown
- Menlo-Atherton (0-1)
- League: 0-0
- Non-League: 0-1
- Home: 0-0
- Away: 0-1
- Playoff: 0-0
- Acalanes (1-0)
- League: 0-0
- Non-League: 1-0
- Home: 1-0
- Away: 0-0
- Playoff: 0-0
Both teams have yet to start league play, making this matchup an important tune-up before conference competition begins.
What to Expect
The Menlo-Atherton vs Acalanes showdown is shaping up to be a battle of contrasts. The Bears are seeking redemption after a rocky start, while the Dons want to extend their hot streak. If Acalanes’ passing game continues firing, they’ll be tough to stop. However, if Menlo-Atherton can control the ground game and tighten up defensively, the Bears could make this a competitive fight.
One thing is certain: both teams will use this matchup as a measuring stick for where they stand early in the season.
Final Thoughts
With kickoff set for Friday, September 5, at 7 p.m., fans in Lafayette should expect an electric atmosphere. The Bears look to prove themselves against a highly ranked opponent, while the Dons aim to solidify their place as one of Northern California’s toughest squads.
Stay tuned for live updates, play-by-play action, and final results at NFR Updates Scores. For deeper insight into state and national standings, visit NFR Updates Rankings. To follow every high school football game across the state, check out NFR Updates – Find Your School.
