Week eight games
Friday
Middletown 22, Fort Bragg 8
Clear Lake 8, St. Vincent 7
Kelseyville 33, Lower Lake 14
Upper Lake 35, Willits 8
Statistical leaders
Rushing — Kelseyville”s Nick Rodriguez led Lake County”s rushers in week eight with a season-best 161 yards and a touchdown in the Knights” victory over Lower Lake. Also with a season best was Middletown”s Jake Davis, who had 138 yards in the Mustangs” big win over Fort Bragg. Teammate Tyler Owen added 103 yards and three touchdowns. Upper Lake”s Joe Barnes had 112 yards in the Cougars” win over Willits. Lower Lake”s Chris Perry had 105 yards on 21 carries and a TD against Kelseyville.
Passing — Middletown”s Matt Outen completed 7 of 14 passes for 117 yards. Lower Lake”s Stephen Whitcomb was 5 of 13 for 105 yards.
Receiving — Middletown”s Dylan Galusha had five catches for 101 yards. Upper Lake”s Sloan Hennig caught two passes for 50 yards. Clear Lake lineman Mike Ventresca gathered in a pass deflected by the St. Vincent defense and rambled eight yards for a first down on a critical third-down play in the Cardinals” 8-7 win. The catch helped set up Clear Lake”s lone TD.
Highlights
Special teams — Middletown”s Danny Beckwith booted a field goal and two extra points against Fort Bragg. Beckwith”s teammate, Jake Davis, blocked a Timberwolf punt.
Defense — Clear Lake”s defense scored a safety in the second half, the margin of difference in the Cardinals” victory over St. Vincent. After Clear Lake pinned St. Vincent deep in its own territory, an errant third-down snap from center in the shotgun formation rolled out of the back of the end zone. That one play may likely decide the North Central League I South championship. Upper Lake”s Joe Barnes intercepted two passes against Willits and Middletown”s Tony Zagajowski picked off two Fort Bragg passes. Clear Lake”s Mike Layton had two quarterback sacks and a fumble recovery against St. Vincent.
Streaks — St. Vincent has now lost six straight Friday night games in Lake County. The Mustangs” last Friday night win came in late September of 2005 at Lower Lake. Clear Lake is 12-0-2 in its last 14 games at Don Owens Stadium.
So much for shaking hands — By mutual agreement of the two head coaches, the Upper Lake Cougars and Willits Wolverines did not shake hands at the end of their game Friday night in Willits. There were several unsportsmanlike conduct penalties in the game and one Willits player was ejected.
Speaking of Willits — The 0-8 Wolverines host the 0-8 Lower Lake Trojans on Friday night. The betting line has Lower Lake by 14. The over-under is 25.
Tough running — With Clear Lake playing keepaway from St. Vincent in the closing minutes of the game, running back Kevin Burt picked up two huge first downs with powerful second-effort runs.
Tough luck — While warming up for Friday”s game, Middletown running back/Eric Tomko pulled a hamstring. He did play but was limited to seven carries for 27 yards. Fortunately for the ”Stangs, running back is one position where they are not lacking for depth.
Pretty good run — Clear Lake quarterback Ryan Richardson completed his first pass on Friday night, hitting Chris Leloup for a 12-yard gain. It was Richardson”s 19th straight completion spanning three games. His next pass fell incomplete to end a very nice run.
No longer undefeated — Middletown”s junior varsity squad fell 7-6 at Fort Bragg.
Field to be reconfigured — St. Vincent”s Kiely Field will one day be oriented north-south instead of east-west. The school purchased a piece of property that will accommodate the change of directions. According to head coach Gary Galloway, the new field is very early in the planning stages and still a few years off.
Vote! Vote! Vote! — Vote today. There”s no (good) excuse not to.
Three-on-three — Running back Tyler Owen of Middletown, running back Mike Duman of Kelseyville and Upper Lake quarterback Brandon Mendoza all rushed for three touchdowns in their respective games (and wins) Friday night.
Another big North game — If Middletown (2-0) beats Kelseyville (2-1) this Friday night in Middletown, the Mustangs wrap up the NCL I North title regardless of how they fare the following week against Lower Lake. If Kelseyville pulls off an upset, the North will likely end in a three-way tie, with Middletown, Fort Bragg and Kelseyville all 3-1.
Report from Big D — Dallas, in fourth place. Number of teams in NFC East? Four.
Soccer kudos — To the girls” teams at Middletown, Clear Lake and Kelseyville for reaching the North Coast Section Class A playoffs.
You”re OK in my book — Niki Simons.
Class A Dude”s Rankings North Coast Section Division IV Football Great 8:
1. Ferndale (8-0) — Beat South Fork 35-0.
2. Middletown (7-1) — Beat Fort Bragg 22-8.
3. St. Patrick-St. Vincent (6-2) — Lost to undefeated Division III Encinal 48-6.
4. Dougherty Valley (6-2) — Beat Division I Mission San Jose 16-0.
5. Fort Bragg (6-2) — Lost to Middletown 22-8.
6. Clear Lake (5-2-1) — Upset St. Vincent 8-7.
7. Justin Siena (4-4) — Idle, next up is Terra Linda.
8. Salesian (5-2) — Crushed Berean Christian 50-7.
