LAKE COUNTY >> First impressions are everything.
If you’re Hokulani Wickard, who really needs no introduction at Lower Lake High School where he started as a freshman on the varsity boys’ basketball team, the sophomore quarterback did all that he could do on Friday night as the Trojans rallied to beat El Molino 21-14 in their season opener at Gordon Sadler Field in Lower Lake.
Wickard, in his first varsity start (at least in football), completed 23 of 26 passes for 185 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions. He also led the Trojans with 62 rushing yards, kicked an extra point and passed for another.
One day later, another county quarterback made an impressive season debut. Florida transfer Derek Pritchard, a junior, passed for four touchdowns as Upper Lake began the era of eight-man football with a 36-20 victory over Rincon Valley Christian in Santa Rosa. Pritchard went 8-for-12 for 99 yards and no interceptions.
Following are some of the highlights and lowlights from week one:
Statistics
Rushing — Manny Sanchez of Kelseyville was a workhorse and then some for Kelseyville in a 20-13 loss at Healdsburg, carrying the ball 37 times for 183 yards and a touchdown. Also topping 100 yards were Middletown’s Ty Chorjel (21 carries for 130 yards, 2 TDs) and Nate Holguin (seven carries for 122 yards, TD) in a 41-19 loss to Salesian. Upper Lake’s Andreas Santos debuted with 92 yards and two scores against Rincon Valley Christian. Asa Peters had 76 yards and a TD against Healdsburg.
Passing — Wickard (23 of 26, 185 yards, 3 TDs) and Pritchard (8 of 12, 99 yards, 4 TDs) led Lake County’s quarterback contingent in the first full week of the 2015 season.
Receiving — Kono Geary of Lower Lake had 10 catches for 95 yards while teammate Marlon Jones caught 12 passes for 45 yards and three TDs. Upper Lake’s tandem of Ray Gutierrez and Isaac Nevarrez caught two touchdown passes apiece.
Special teams
0-for-PAT — Upper Lake misfired on six two-point conversions, which is pretty hard to do when you stop and think about it, in its season opener against Rincon Valley Christian. The success rate for two-point conversions is between 40-55 percent depending on the source you cite. Middletown’s Robbie Carey booted an extra point for Middletown but was roughed on the play and had to leave with an ankle injury, which heavily impacted Middletown in its 41-19 loss to Salesian. Between Carey’s involvement on offense, defense, punting, kicking and return teams, it’s like losing six different players, according to Middletown coach Bill Foltmer. Carey is also the primary backup for tailback Coleman Drew, who had to miss the Salesian game because of his involvement in showing animals at the Lake County Fair. Clear Lake’s Jake Jackson returned the opening kickoff 77 yards for a touchdown against Durham.
Highlights
Signed, sealed and delivered — Peerless Brooke of Lower Lake picked off an El Molino pass late in the fourth quarter to seal Lower Lake’s season-opening victory. Ethan Watson intercepted another Lions pass in the red zone.
Staying busy — Lower Lake linebacker Robert Calderon had eight unassisted tackles and two assists against El Molino. Not to be outdone, Kelseyville linebacker Noah Lyndall registered a dozen solo stops and four assists against Healdsburg.
So close, so far — Kelseyville’s night ended on the Healdsburg 1-yard line when running back Manny Sanchez was stopped a yard shy of the goal line on a fourth-and-goal play in the final seconds of the Knights’ 20-13 loss to the Greyhounds.
That could have been better — Clear Lake’s Jake Jackson scored on a 77-yard kickoff return to open the game against Durham, but the Cardinals never found the end zone again and lost 50-7 to the Trojans on Friday night in Lakeport.
Sack attack — Jacob Kalawaia had 1 ½ sacks in Upper Lake’s win over Rincon Valley Christian.
Forcing turnovers — Upper Lake recovered two fumbles and intercepted two passes in week one.
Poor clock management — The timekeeper during the Upper Lake-Rincon Valley Christian team really struggled with starting and stopping the clock. In fact, he cost the home team a touchdown late in the first half when time should have expired during a Rincon Valley Christian drive that ended with a fumble recovered by the Cougars. Upper Lake took over at the Rincon Valley 8-yard line with 15 seconds left and scored on the next play, a touchdown pass from Derek Pritchard to Isaac Nevarrez.
Penalty management — Lower Lake lost 28-6 to El Molino a year ago in its season opener after committing more than 100 yards in penalties and passing for just 38 yards. A year later against El Molino at Lower Lake, the Trojans were penalized for just 65 yards and passed for 185. Upper Lake had just two penalties for 30 yards against Rincon Valley Christian.
A note on stats — The Record-Bee will keep separate statistics for 11-man and eight-man football because they are two entirely different games. That means whatever numbers Upper Lake’s statistical leaders post this season will be Lake County records for eight-man football because it’s the first time a county team is playing with fewer than 11.
Streaks — Upper Lake’s win over Rincon Valley Christian snapped a 23-game Cougars losing streak dating back to late in the 2012 season. The county’s longest losing streak now belongs to Clear Lake, which has dropped eight straight.
JV highlights — Kelseyville defeated Healdsburg 50-15 and Clear Lake knocked off Durham 25-0.
27 starters — Lower Lake junior varsity coach Ed Fuchs said the Trojans started 27 different players between offense, defense and special teams in a 34-8 loss to El Molino. Only one Lower Lake player started on both offense and defense. Fuchs’ goal is to keep players interested in the sport given the declining interest in football both inside and outside of Lake County. “Just look at the roster numbers,” Fuchs said. “They’re down everywhere.”
Sideline interference — A Rincon Valley Christian coach was flagged for sideline interference during Saturday’s action against Upper Lake. An official running down the sideline during a play made contact with the coach.
Week 2 games — On Friday, it will be Healdsburg (1-1) at Lower Lake (1-0), Clear Lake (0-1) at Colusa (1-1), and Berean Christian (1-1) at Middletown (0-1). On Saturday, it’s Calistoga (1-0) at Upper Lake (1-0). Kelseyville (0-2) has a bye.
