UPPER LAKE — Ward Beecher moved closer to the 1,500-yard mark — and he still has two games left — as the Upper Lake Cougars remained undefeated after turning back a strong Clear Lake squad 30-17 in a North Central League I South junior varsity football game Saturday in Upper Lake.
Upper Lake, now 2-0 in league and 8-0 overall, plays its final road game Friday night in Cloverdale before returning home for its season finale Nov. 13.
Beecher has had a lot to do with the Cougars” success. Against Clear Lake, he rushed for 180 yards on 27 carries, scored three times and added a two-point conversion run. He has 1,417 yards on the season.
“There were big hits, big plays,” Upper Lake coach Frank Gudmundson said.
Alex Castillo rushed for Upper Lake”s other touchdown.
Joey Valdez anchored the defense with six tackles, a blocked punt and a forced fumble. Travis Coleman added six tackles and an interception.
Upper Lake”s special teams also came up big as Wesley Thaxton had a 60-yard kickoff return.
Omar Vazquez was Clear Lake”s leading rusher with 90 yards and a touchdown. William Ventresca added 49 yards on 12 carries and Luke Punzalan had 40 yards on six carries, including an 11-yard TD run.
Upper Lake led 16-0 after one quarter and 16-7 at the half. A 23-yard field goal by Vazquez in the third quarter cut Upper Lake”s lead to 24-17.
Punzalan had a big game on defense for the Cardinals with 10 tackles and six assists.
“It was a very hard-hitting game,” Clear Lake coach Tom O”Rourke said. “Beecher was as good as we expected, but a big part of his success in my opinion is the great blocking he gets from Alex Castillo and his offensive line.”
Clear Lake is 2-1 in league and 5-3 overall. The Cardinals travel to St. Helena on Friday night.
