KELSEYVILLE — Kelseyville”s offensive line dominated St. Helena and the Knights chewed up the game clock while beating the Saints 30-20 in a North Central League I interlock varsity football game on Friday night in St. Helena.
It was Kelseyville”s first win of the season after three straight losses and St. Helena”s first loss after three straight victories.
“They played a physical game like last Friday (against Clear Lake) but error free this time,” Kelseyville coach Thad Owens said in evaluating the Knights” overall performance. “I”ve got a great coaching staff and they had a great gameplan. We did our homework.”
The Knights trailed 14-7 after one quarter but scored the next 23 points, including a 17-0 second quarter, to take control of the game.
Morgan Nelson scored on runs of 1 and 10 yards in the second quarter and Antonio Cortez booted a 42-yard field goal to give Kelseyville a 24-14 halftime lead.
Nelson, the Knights” leading rusher with 71 yards on 17 carries, put the game away with his third touchdown run of the night, a 1-yard blast in the fourth quarter.
Steven Grossner gave Kelseyville the early lead when he returned the opening kickoff 90 yards for a touchdown.
“Nelson pounded it out but it was our offensive line that did a great job,” Owens said.
Kelseyville”s defense held St. Helena”s two running threats, Ezequiel Valdivia and Miguel Calderon, pretty much in check the entire evening.
“Their big kid, No. 44 (Valdivia), we held to 62 yards and he”s a great back,” Owens said.
“Our kids played their hearts out,” Owens added.
