KELSEYVILLE — Try this statistic on for size.
The Willits Wolverines ran 97 plays to Kelseyville”s 20 on Friday night in Kelseyville. Final score? Kelseyville 40, Willits 16 in the North Central League I North opener for both of these varsity football teams.
“We ran 20 plays the whole game and scored quick,” Kelseyville coach Rob Ishihara said of a 49-yard touchdown pass from Chris Aguon to Mike Davis in the first quarter, a 47-yard Nick Rodrigues run in the first quarter, a 54-yard onside kick return for a touchdown by Davis in the second quarter, a Geno Poloni 90-yard run in the third quarter, a 44-yard pass from Aguon to Davis in the fourth quarter, and a 44-yard Mike Allen run (his only carry of the game) with 1:53 remaining.
“We played our hearts out on defense and we were out there a long time,” Ishihara said. “I couldn”t be more proud of my defense to be out on the field that long.”
While the Wolverines used up a lot of clock and led 16-14 until Davis” kickoff return put the Knights ahead to stay late in the first half, Kelseyville”s defense and special teams were more than up to the task.
The Knights not only picked off four Willits passes — Davis had two of the interceptions — but Kelseyville recovered onside kicks three times, leading to great field position and the one touchdown.
The Knights (1-0, 5-1) have won five in a row.
Poloni had six carries for 103 yards and Rodrigues six carries for 86 yards. Aguon attempted only three passes and his two completions — both to Davis — went for touchdowns.
“That was a great game to get over the hump in league,” Ishihara said.
