ST. HELENA — Returning to the field a week ahead of schedule, Middletown High School senior middle linebacker Jake Davis anchored another strong effort by the Mustangs” defense in a 40-7 North Central League I interlock varsity football victory over the St. Helena Saints on Friday night in St. Helena.
Davis, who went out with a broken jaw a week before the 2010 season opened and was originally listed out six to eight weeks, played the entire game on defense as Middletown improved to 5-1 with its fifth straight victory. He also carried the ball five times at the fullback position, gaining 57 yards.
“He brings a lot more aggressiveness to our defense,” Middletown coach Bill Foltmer said. “And when he did run the ball, he”s a load to bring down.”
Middletown didn”t allow a first down in the first half while building a 27-0 lead on the strength of three touchdown runs by David Pike and a 27-yard pass from Kyle Brown to Jereomy Hoefer.
St. Helena closed to 27-7 early in the fourth quarter after taking advantage of a bad punt snap by Middletown.
The Mustangs answered with 5- and 4-yard touchdown runs by Nolan Tkachenko.
“We weren”t as sharp as we have been on offense,” Foltmer said. “We had more penalties than we”ve ever had and the timing on our passes was a little bit off. But on defense we were solid.”
Pike finished with 89 yards on 16 carries and also caught a pass for 50 yards. Hoefer had a productive night as well with seven carries for 68 yards and three catches for 60 yards. He also registered his Lake County-leading sixth and seventh sacks of the season.
Middletown gained 457 yards on offense. Brown was 10 of 20 passing for 190 yards, one interception and the TD to Hoefer.
The Mustangs open their NCL I North schedule next Friday in Fort Bragg against the undefeated Timberwolves (1-0, 6-0).
