WILLITS — Jameson Holder intercepted two passes deep in Clear Lake territory in the fourth quarter to preserve the Cardinals” 12-6 North Central League I interlock varsity football win over the Willits Wolverines on Friday night at Maize Field.
Clear Lake (3-0) built a 12-0 lead on the strength of Collin Coddington”s 1-yard run in the first quarter and Noel McCormack”s 43-yard run in the fourth quarter. Willits closed to 12-6 with 7:30 remaining on an 11-yard pass from Willits quarterback Justin Ruzica to running back Tyler Brinkerhoff.
The Wolverines mounted two more drives deep into the Clear Lake territory, but Holder, playing free safety, ended each possession with an interception, one at the Clear Lake 8-yard line and another in the end zone as time expired.
“Terrific,” Clear Lake coach Milo Meyer, a Willits High graduate, said of his team”s play on defense. “Once we were able to contain him (Ruzica) in the pocket, that”s when we were able to get those interceptions.”
“Mo did a pretty good job switching up defenses on them,” Meyer said of defensive coordinator Mike Hansen, who had the Cardinals send more rushers after Ruzica late in the game, and it paid off.
“We had a lot of sacks,” Meyer said. “They (Wolverines) were pretty beat up by the end of the game. Our size worked on them and steadily wore them down.”
Clear Lake”s defense also forced four turnovers in what Meyer called a “very bruising” game.
On offense, McCormack led a balanced running attack with 95 yards on eight carries. Coddington and Colby Butcher each finished with 62 yards.
Meyer said the Wolverines and Cardinals have had an interesting rivalry down through the years.
“They usually beat us at our place and we usually beat them up here,” he said.
Meyer also said he didn”t mind beating his alma mater.
“Not a bit,” he said.
Clear Lake”s junior varsity squad also improved to 3-0 with a 20-6 win.
The Cardinals return home next Friday to play the Middletown Msutangs.
