KELSEYVILLE — The Kelseyville Knights sputtered on offense in the second half but that was little consolation to Cloverdale quarterback Zack Stroud on Friday night in Kelseyville.
Kelseyville”s defense logged 15 yep, that”s right 15 sacks and the Knights, after jumping ahead 22-0 in the first half, settled for a 28-0 North Central League I interlock varsity football victory that squares their season record at 2-2.
Ten different Knights escorted Stroud to the Kelseyville turf and linebacker Tyson Newton led the way with three sacks. Al Fontana, Kevin Benjamin and Orlando Zarate each had two sacks.
“We played well at times, but they were pretty weak,” Kelseyville coach Stan Weiper said of the Eagles, who dropped to 0-4.
Kelseyville appeared on its way to big night on offense after opening up a 22-0 halftime lead. The Knights were on the move again in the third quarter but a long drive ended when running back Kyle Poloni lost a fumble in the end zone that the Eagles recovered for a touchback.
Three turnovers and 120 yards in penalties greatly reduced Kelseyville”s efficiency, according to Weiper, who wasn”t very happy about all the mistakes.
“We penaltied ourselves to death, which stopped us pretty good. You just can”t do stupid things like that. It”s real disappointing,” Weiper said.
On the bright side, according to Weiper, “It gives us something to work on.”
Kelseyville grabbed an 8-0 lead in the first quarter on a 3-yard keeper by quarterback Tony Sekona, who then connected with Jared Templeton on the conversion pass.
The Knights made it 14-0 in the second quarter on an 18-yard Tanner Olsen run, then scored again later in the period on an Olsen 20-yard run, with Sekona passing to Templeton on the conversion.
Kelseyville”s final points came on a Sekona 4-yard run in the fourth quarter.
Newton”s big night on defense also included an interception and Olsen added another interception.
Kelseyville gained 291 yards on offense, all on the ground. Poloni led the way with 128 yards, Olsen finished with 63 and Sekona had 60.
The Knights travel to Lakeport to play the Clear Lake Cardinals (1-3) next Friday.
