MIDDLETOWN — Nolan Tkachenko ran for 77 yards and a touchdown and booted all five of his extra points as the Middletown High School junior varsity football team clinched a tie for the North Central League I North title with a 35-6 victory over the Lower Lake Trojans on Friday night at Middletown.
Middletown (3-0, 7-2) can secure the undisputed league championship with a tie or victory over Willits (2-1) on Friday night in Willits.
Middletown built a 21-0 halftime lead on Tkachenko”s 12-yard run and Kyle Brown”s 25-yard touchdown pass to D.J. Brookshire in the first quarter, and Danny Hulme”s 10-yard TD run in the second quarter.
Cory Salcedo scored on runs of seven and four yards in the third quarter for the Mustangs.
Lower Lake broke up the shutout with a 22-yard touchdown pass in the fourth quarter.
Hulme finished with 67 yards rushing and Brown completed six of eight passes for 97 yards. Brookshire caught two passes for 43 yards and Hulme had two catches for 33 yards.
Middletown”s leaders on defense were Nick Delia with three solo tackles and six assists; Nicolai Bernal with two tackles and four assists; Nick Hoefer with two tackles and three assists; and Devin Kite with a fumble recovery.
