MIDDLETOWN >> With superior blocking and execution Friday night, Middletown swept the Kelseyville Knights off their feet at Bill Foltmer Field.
Three touchdowns generated by power sweeps in the first half enabled the Mustangs (3-1 league, 5-2 overall) to build a 21-0 lead that they added to almost at will throughout the rest of the game.
Wyatt Halll, who had three TDs for the game and 138 yards on 12 carries, scored from the 13 on a sweep to the left. He followed that up with another sweep for 26 yards and a 14-0 Mustang lead at the end of the first quarter. He also scored on a 44-yard gallop after busting through a hole off tackle.
With 9:42 remaining in the half, Anthonie Guzman ran around right end from the 30 to make it 21-0 Middletown.
“The sweep was a big play for us tonight,” Foltmer granted. “We were overloading. We were just trying to find that hole. Last week we ran inside a little bit.”
The running of Hall and Guzman, who had 75 yards rushing, struck a perfect balance for the Mustangs passing game, thanks to quarterback Connor Armstrong.
Armstrong threw for two touchdowns while completing nine of 13 passes for 157 yards.
“I think Connor Armstrong is very underrated,” said Foltmer. “We”ve kind of gotten into the running game, but when he”s had to throw I”ve always been impressed. I can”t say enough about this kid who we”ll have back next year.”
Tight end Cody Chorjel was Armstrong”s favorite target on Friday, catching five passes for 110 yards and both of Armstrong”s TD passes, a 10-yarder in the second second quarter and a 29-yard in the third quarter.
The Mustang defense was never better. Middletown held the Knights to only one first down — that by penalty in the first half — and otherwise held them to four three-and-outs
Foltmer, who substituted his first-string skill players for the entire second half, got an eye-opening performance from second-string running back Cesar Macias, who scored on a 30-yard run.
Foltmer remains determined as far as the NCL I race is concerned, despite last week”s setback against St. Helena.
“Last week we went down to St. Helena and lost a tough one. But I think things are in our favor,” he said. “Number one, we play tough at home and we have two more games at home and one game on the road against Clear Lake.”
“We gotta look for a little help to give us a little piece of the title. We got to look for somebody else to beat St. Helena (4-0, 7-0) down the road. I don”t think Fort Bragg will be easy for them.”
St. Helena, a 20-8 winner over Clear Lake on Friday in Lakeport, travels to Fort Bragg (3-1, 5-2) next Friday.
