With thirteen seconds left, Elliott de la Torre (’26) stepped up to kick a 43-yard field goal against Dublin High. This last-ditch play ended up winning the Amador Valley football Homecoming game. De la Torre’s athleticism and dedication to the team gave his coach confidence in the kick.
“This year, we had Elliot De La Torre come out, who’s a phenomenal athlete, and he wanted to be a kicker…so when the moment came against Dublin to make that decision, it really just came down to belief in him,” said Coach Danny Jones.
During De la Torre’s time here at Amador, he has played soccer and baseball.This was his first year ever playing football. This game was also his first ever attempt at a field goal.
“I was pacing back and forth because I was really nervous before the sack that moved us back. So, I just warmed up, did some practice kicks and went out there,” said De la Torre.
Victory Celebration
The game was tied fourteen to fourteen in the fourth quarter with little time left. His teammates were impressed with his calmness during the moment, and ecstatic after seeing the ball go through the uprights.
“I was super excited for one of my teammates to do something like that, and to put the team on his back, for that kick. It was an exciting moment,” said teammate Jonas Banks (‘26)
The game-winning field goal didn’t just win the homecoming game, but gave the team a much needed win after a rocky start to the season. Hopefully they can carry this momentum for the rest of the season and make history again.
“Our cultures beaming through. Nobody’s pointing fingers at each other. We’re staying as a family and a team. And we all believe that we’re going to finish this season the same way that we did last year. Winning a section title, first in the school history, and then winning the Northern California title, which was another first in the school history,” said Coach Jones.
