The De Anza High School Dons, a much-maligned football team, got clobbered in their homecoming night game. But the full story does not show up in the box score.

The Dons were blown out 49-7 by a much better Alameda High School team. The Dons gave up hundreds of yards, but never yielded an inch when it came to heart.

Defensive coordinator Damariea Blanchard implores his players to continue their intense play.

They came in 0-9, and they left 0-10. Most of the  23 players who suited up were seniors, playing possibly the last organized football game of their lives.

After the game, Coach Mike WIlliams said he was proud of his boys for never giving up. Anyone who watched that night couldn’t help but agree.

FOOTBALL

Salesian 28, Tomales 0

-The Pride (9-1 overall, 5-0 Bay Football League) hit the road to win its final non-league game of season, topping Tomales. Salesian looks to finish up an undefeated Bay Football League season with a 7:30 p.m. game this Friday vs. California School of the Deaf (3-7, 1-4 BFL).

Pinole Valley 41, Richmond 0

-Richmond loses its final game of the season to finish 3-7 overall, 2-4 in Alameda Contra Costa Athletic League play.

Richmond Confidential reporter Yuanxi Huang was at the game. Check out her story about a dedicated supporter of the team:

http://richmondconfidential.org/2009/11/08/parent-sees-sports-as-shield-from-trouble/

Contra Costa Times game story:

http://www.contracostatimes.com/high-school-sports/ci_13735366

Hercules 41, De Anza 0

-The Dons drop their ninth game in nine tries, losing on the road to Hercules (3-6, 1-4). De Anza (0-9, 0-5) closes the season at 7 p.m. Friday at home vs. Alameda (4-4-1, 3-2).

Saturday’s results

GIRLS VOLLEYBALL

Salesian was awarded the No. 2 seed in the North Coast Section Division IV playoffs, and a first-round bye, in seedings announced Saturday.

The Pride (23-7), champions of the Bay Shore Athletic League, next play at 7 p.m. Saturday at home. It faces the winner of Wednesday’s 7 p.m. match between No. 7 St. Mary’s (21-12) and No. 10 Healdsburg (15-16).

Last week his team hosted Alameda. A win and the Oilers could have moved as high as second place in the Alameda Contra Costa Athletic League.

Richmond lost, 56-0.

“We’re not quite there yet,” Tyner said.

At Richmond, and ACCAL rival De Anza, it may as well be next season. While De Anza has two games to play, Richmond plays its final game tonight, closing the book on a tough season with a young roster.

De Anza (0-8 overall, 0-4 ACCAL) plays at Hercules (2-6, 0-4), while Richmond (3-6, 2-3) is at Pinole Valley (5-2, 2-2). Both games are at 7 p.m.

The Bay Football League’s Salesian (7-1, 4-0), which won the regular-season title last week, has a non-league game at Tomales (6-2) at 7:30 p.m.

Tyner said his players are trying real hard. Problem is, most are underclassmen and not as strong or fast as their opponents. Also, he said a lot of the upperclassmen have gotten used to losing after the Oilers went 2-18 over the past two seasons.

“Once we were scored upon, (some of the upperclassmen’s) heads would be slumped like, ‘Here we go again,’” Tyner said. “A lot of the younger guys were leading the way.”

Tyner said he wants to reward some of his younger players with more playing time in this game. He said receiver Isaiah Brown, a freshman who practiced with varsity but played on the JV team, is a future star.

“He’s got size and speed,” Tyner said of Brown, who is 5-foot-10, 170 pounds. “He’s looking good.”

Tyner, on on-campus Richmond police officer, said he plans on watching his players closely between the end of this season and the beginning of next.

“I can keep an eye out, make sure they go to study hall,” he said, “and stay consistent with their off-season workout program.”