Cole Dawes Brings a Clean Passing Record Into the De La Salle Test

Twenty-one touchdown passes. Zero interceptions. That is a pretty convincing way to start a football season.

According to the San Francisco Chronicle’s October 22 preview, San Ramon Valley quarterback Cole Dawes carries that passing line into an October 23 matchup with De La Salle. Both teams entered the preview at 7–0.

The numbers set up the story. The opponent gives it weight.
The challenge behind the clean stat line
An interception-free start can invite the wrong question: when will the first mistake happen?

The better question is whether Dawes can keep making useful decisions when a game stops feeling comfortable. A quarterback does not need to force a highlight on every possession. An incompletion can be the right answer. So can a short gain that keeps an offense on schedule.

Against a major opponent, patience is a skill worth watching.
Watch the possessions between the highlights
For viewers, third downs and the response after a stalled drive should be as interesting as any touchdown throw. Does the offense stay composed? Can it recover from a penalty? Does it keep its options open instead of chasing one big play?

Those are questions for the game, not conclusions drawn from a stat sheet.

Dawes has already produced a start that earns attention. This matchup offers a chance to see that production in a different setting.

San Ramon Valley does not need a perfect social media clip from its quarterback. It needs an offense that can keep functioning when the pressure rises. That is the part of this test worth staying tuned for.

 San Ramon Valley senior quarterback Cole Dawes has thrown for 21 touchdowns, with zero interceptions, to start the season. Image - Courtesy of Jason Weed