KELSEYVILLE >> Kelseyville High School’s defense pitched a shutout and the Knights now own a share of first place in the North Central League I junior varsity football standings after beating previously unbeaten Middletown 13-0 on Friday night at Kelseyville.
Middletown (4-1, 5-2) lost for the first time in league play while Kelseyville improved to 4-1 and 6-2. Kelseyville’s only league loss to date is a forfeit to Willits. The Knights won that game on the field 36-6 but had to give back the victory because an ineligible player took the field late in that game. As a result, Willits is also tied for first with a 4-1 record (its only official loss a 26-0 setback to Middletown).
“We moved the ball a little bit but their backers had a nose for the football,” Middletown coach Tony Hart said of the Knights. “We couldn’t break many of their tackles.”
While the Mustangs won the battle at the line of scrimmage when on offense, Kelseyville’s linebackers were there to shut Middletown down, according to Hart. “They are big and they hit hard,” Hart said.
Kelseyville’s touchdowns came on a Brian Carillo 25-yard run in the first quarter and a Patrick Mick 54-yard run in the third quarter. Mick led the Knights with 122 yards on 15 carries while Carillo added 38 yards on six carries.
Anchoring the Knights’ strong effort on defense was J.D. Prescott with 13 unassisted tackles and eight assists, including three tackles for losses. John Mendonca also had a big game with five solo stops and five assists, including two tackles for losses, and an interception.
For Middletown, quarterback Luke Holt went 8-for-15 for 108 yards. Trey O’Neill was on the receiving end of all of Holt’s completions.
Kelseyville travels to Lakeport on Friday night to play Clear Lake. Middletown also hits the road as it visits Cloverdale.
