ARC Secure Atop California NorCal D1AA After Key Win

03.02.2026 - 03.03.2026College Men

Save Gucake charges ahead for ARC. Photo Alex Sitorus.

Author: Alex Goff

American River took tighter control of the California Conference NorCal with a well-taken win over San Jose State.

With the win ARC handed SJSU their first conference loss, and improved to 7-0.

The Spartans scored first, which marked the first time ARC has trailed in league play all season. The Beavers responded to tie it and the game was a close through the first 25 minutes—tries from Donavyn Allen, who was excellent all day, and Haydn Williams eventually set ARC up with a 12-10 lead.

Soon thereafter Jordan Clanton scored, and Dylan Alexander added one just before halftime.

So that made it 24-10 at the break.

"Our physicality took over, our tempo rose, and we started moving the ball with real purpose," said Head Coach Zach Swithenbank. "I couldn’t be prouder of the effort, this was a complete team performance."

And so it was. Vili Foe, Lance Colon, Jr., Julian Niulala, and Henry Westerlun all scored as ARC pulled away 52-22.

Dylan Alexander gets set to put the ball into the scrum for ARC. Photo Save Gucake charges ahead for ARC. Photo Alex Sitorus.

SJSU Spartans

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"We set the goal of winning the league from day one, and with today’s result we accomplished it," said Swithenbank. "San Jose State deserves a lot of credit. They’re strong, well-coached, and have difference-makers across the park. Their 10, 15, 8, and 9 stood out to me, and their No. 8 in particular brought the kind of presence that changes a game big, powerful, and difficult to contain."

That would be flyhalf Victor Baird, fullback RJ Anderson, scrumhalf Miguel Galan Marcelo, and No. 8 Nathan Vera.

For ARC, Donavyn “Big Country” Allen had his best match of the year. Kingston Schaaf was physical, unselfish, and excellent in the difficult parts of the game at blindside flanker. Dylan Alexander continued to excel and lead from scrumhalf, and Tre Robinson was a defensive stalwart with several strong carries at No. 8.

ARC tighthead prop Donavyn Allen. Photo Alex Sitorus.

Center Jonathan Nawasa and flanker Save Gucake were both consistent, smart, and relentless, working hard all day.

With the result, and ARC getting a forfeit win next week, the Beavers are secure in their #1 seed into the conference playoffs. San Jose is almost certainly #2 although they still have Fresno State on the slate. Cal Poly Humboldt got a bonus-point victory over Nevada, paced by two tries from Anthony Ricci, and with that hold onto 3rd, with Chico State (34-12 winners over SFSU) in 4th.

Those two meet up March 7 to decide who is 3rd.

But the playoffs beckon certainly for ARC and Swithenbank is looking to win the state title and then take on a very good Western Washington side.

"Now the focus is simple: keep working, keep improving, and continue raising our level every week," Swithenbank said.