FORT BRAGG — The Kelseyville Knights took the opening kickoff and marched 63 yards for a touchdown, the final 44 on a Nick Rodrigues run, but that turned out to be the only scoring highlight in a 43-6 loss to the Fort Bragg Timberwolves in a North Central League I North battle for second place on Friday night in Fort Bragg.
The Timberwolves, defending North Coast Section Division IV champions, close out the regular season at 3-1 in league play and 9-1 overall. Their only loss ? just like a year ago ? was to North champion Middletown. Kelseyville finishes 2-2 in league and 7-3 overall under first-year coach Rob Ishihara.
Both teams are headed to the playoffs, which begin next weekend. The Division IV field will be set on Sunday.
“We”d rather not play a top-four seed in the first round (of the 16-team tournament),” Ishihara said.
Kelseyville”s promising start against the Timberwolves didn”t last long, according to Ishihara.
“We went down and scored but that was about it,” he said. “They made some adjustments (on defense).”
One of those adjustments was switching from an even to an odd front, according to Ishihara.
“They also went to small, quick guy at nose tackle and we had trouble blocking him,” Ishihara said.
Fort Bragg led 13-6 after the opening period and 21-6 by halftime.
Although the Knights rolled up 349 yards of total offense, including 100-yard rushing efforts by Rodrigues (115 yards) and Geno Poloni (102 yards), they misfired in some key situations.
“We made some costly mistakes,” Ishihara said.
Kelseyville turned the ball over on downs once, couldn”t convert a fake punt and also threw two interceptions, both picks stopping promising drives.
Cody Ryden caught two touchdown passes and also had an 85-yard interception return for a TD for Fort Bragg”s final points. Caleb Cunha added a pair of rushing scores and 109 yards on the ground, while quarterback Brandon Freitas finished the game with three passing TDs.
Mike Allen registered his ninth and 10th sacks of the season for the Knights.
