LOWER LAKE >> The Lower Lake Trojans did a commendable job of honoring former football coach Gordon Sadler on Friday night, but the game that followed against the Cloverdale Eagles didn’t go nearly as well.
Cloverdale pounded Lower Lake 42-6 on a night when Sadler, a teacher, coach and athletic director for more than 30 years at the Southshore high school, was remembered by many generations of Lower Lake students and athletes. Sadler, 77, died suddenly Monday while visiting family in Iowa.
Lower Lake honored him with a moment of silence between games and asked that his former players attend. The turnout was incredible, according to current varsity coach Justin Gaddy.
“That is something I will remember forever,” Gaddy said. “All the different generations out there. We came together and did the Trojan clap … it got emotional.”
Longtime Sadler assistant Walt Campbell delivered a touching speech and alumni released blue and white balloons before the Trojans took the field against Cloverdale.
“Walt Campbell delivered a great speech,” Gaddy said.
The rest of the night belonged to the Eagles, who scored 14 points in each of the first three quarters to open up a 42-0 lead.
Lower Lake’s lone score was an 11-yard pass from Hokulani Wickard to Reed Diener as time expired in the game.
“Cloverdale is a very, very physical team,” Gaddy said. “They have great athletes and did a beautiful job of being physical.”
Wickard completed nine of 16 passes for 95 yards as the Trojans fell to 1-4 in league and 4-4 overall. Lower Lake gained just 28 yards on the ground against the tough Cloverdale defense.
The Eagles improved to 4-1 in the league standings and 7-1 overall.
