LAKEPORT >> It’s not often two sophomore quarterbacks square off at the varsity level, but that’s the scenario tonight as the Lower Lake Trojans visit the Clear Lake Cardinals in North Central League I football action at Don Owens Stadium in Lakeport.
While Lower Lake at Clear Lake is not the big NCL I game in Week 7 — that would be St. Helena (3-0 league, 6-0 overall) at Middletown (2-1, 2-3) — the matchup is intriguing on a couple of counts, not the least of which is the sophomore vs. sophomore quarterback pairing of Lower Lake’s Hokulani Wickard, who opened the 2015 season behind center for the Trojans, and Clear Lake’s Alex Adams, who made his varsity debut only a week ago, passing for 281 yards and two touchdowns in a 32-20 win over Willits.
In other NCL I action tonight involving Lake County teams, Kelseyville (0-3, 1-5) visits Fort Bragg (3-0, 6-0). On Saturday, Upper Lake (4-1) shoots for a fourth straight NCL III win against the visiting Mendocino Cardinals (1-4).
Lower Lake at Clear Lake
Lower Lake coach Justin Gaddy said he’s inclined to take the over when asked about how many passes the two teams will combine for tonight.
“It could be in the 70s or 80s … maybe even the 90s,” Gaddy said.
Lower Lake won its first three games with Wickard at QB but has since gone 0-3 in league, albeit the losses were to, in order, Middletown, Fort Bragg and St. Helena. The Trojans have been shut out in two of their last three games and have scored just nine points in league competition thus far.
“Our goal is still to play 12 games,” Gaddy said of the team’s preseason checklist of not only reaching the postseason but winning at least one game there. “We’re getting to the point now where these (final four league games) are important games. If we play four quarters, we’ll put ourselves in a position to win those games.”
Having already faced some solid passing attacks this year, Gaddy believes the Trojans are prepared to handle what the Cardinals will throw at them tonight.
“Experience will be important,” he said. “We’ve faced some good quarterbacks and I think that will help us.”
Gaddy said he certainly liked what he saw from Adams a week ago against Willits.
“He’s a good little quarterback and he’s only going to get better,” Gaddy said.
“The kids are upbeat,” Clear Lake coach Darin Brodnansky said of the state of the Cardinal camp this week after a big homecoming win against Willits (1-2, 4-2).
Not only did Adams shine in the win with two passing TDs and two more running scores, but the Clear Lake offensive line had a big game protecting its quarterback.
“They’re adding some extra protection and have really stepped it up,” Brodnansky said.
On the decision to start Adams a week ago, Brodnansky said it was the right time.
“There were a lot of player personnel changes we needed to make and that was one of them,” he said. “We saw a lot of potential in Adams and we thought the timing was perfect for him. We tried to put him in a situation where he could be successful.”
St. Helena at Middletown
Middletown faces an undefeated team for a third straight week. The Mustangs hammered Willits 43-8 two weeks ago in Wilits, fell 28-14 at home to Fort Bragg last weekend after going into the fourth quarter tied with the Timberwolves at 7-7, and now draw the powerful Saints.
“Just another good football team, another very good football team,” Middletown coach Bill Foltmer said. “They are like us in a lot of ways. Their line is good, (Jahaiver) Otero is a good running back, their quarterback (Dylan Martin) quietly gets the job done, and they run the ball to set up their passing game.”
Middletown is enjoying its first normal week in practice since before the Valley Fire struck last month, according to Foltmer.
“It’s the first time we’ve had a normal practice week since then. There are no outside distractions. Last week was crazy,” Foltmer said of the Fort Bragg contest, not only because it was a big game but because it was Middletown’s first home date since the Valley Fire erupted on Sept. 12. Media from across the country descended on Middletown and documented the Mustangs’ return home to Bill Foltmer Field.
“The big crowd definitely helped us even if we didn’t win the game,” Foltmer said.
Sustaining drives will be key for the Mustangs tonight against the Saints.
“We moved the ball against Fort Bragg but had a lot of drives stall down around the 20,” Foltmer said. “Our offense controlled the tempo, but we couldn’t finish drives off. We dropped balls or overthrew receivers.
“One play can change the complexion of a game so much,” Foltmer added.
Kelseyville at Fort Bragg
The Knights have spent a lot of time on their pass coverage this week in practice as they prepare to visit undefeated Fort Bragg and senior quarterback Kaylor Sullivan, who topped 2,000 yards for the season last week at Middletown.
“We’ll give them a few different looks,” Kelseyville coach Erick Larsen said of his defense. “Their quarterback is definitely mobile so you have to be disciplined there.”
And it wouldn’t hurt Larsen’s feelings one bit if expected rain this weekend arrived a bit early, say at game time, something that might slow down Sullivan because not much else has this season.
“They have good kids and are well coached,” Larsen said of the Timberwolves.
There are changes for the Knights on defense and offense going into Week 7. Nate Carpenter will make the start at defensive tackle while Logan Barrick, a junior, takes over at quarterback for senior Noah Lyndall.
“It was a tough decision but Logan continues to work hard and he earned the chance,” Larsen said.
The original plan was to move Lyndall to tight end, but he broke a finger in practice earlier this week and is likely out for the season.
“And that really hurts us,” Larsen said. “He’s a great middle linebacker.”
The Knights also may be without defensive end Tyler Riewerts (knee), who still needs a doctor’s clearance before he can play.
Mendocino at Upper Lake
Mendocino forfeited last weekend’s game against Rincon Valley because it didn’t have enough players, but the Cardinals are expected to suit up in the neighborhood of 12 players for their eight-man game on Saturday in Upper Lake.
“We should be two or three touchdowns better than them,” Upper Lake coach Frank Gudmundson said of the Cougars, who are gunning for a fourth straight victory.
Upper Lake’s running back corps should be at or close to full strength with the return of Jacob Kalawaia and Isaac Nevarez, who missed last week’s 34-22 win over Anderson Valley while nursing injuries. Chris Fecht, who came out in the second half against Anderson Valley with an injury, is also expected to play.
The end of the grading period won’t cost the Cougars any starters but will likely cut into their depth a bit, according to Gudmundson.
“A couple of our JV kids are learning a (hard) lesson,” he said.
Upper Lake has no game film on Mendocino and will be entering Saturday’s game blind so to speak.
Gudmundson said he’s not concerned.
“Football is football,” Gudmundson said. “We’re going to go in and evaluate what they’re doing in the first quarter and go from there.”
