KELSEYVILLE >> Quarterback Alex Garcia ran for 103 yards and three touchdowns and passed for two others as the Kelseyville Knights, despite falling behind 6-0 early in the game, came storming back to pummel the Willits Wolverines 63-30 in North Central League I varsity football action on Friday night in Kelseyville.
The win keeps the Knights (5-1 league, 6-2 overall) tied with Lower Lake for second place in the league standings, one game behind undefeated Middletown (6-0), which clinched a tie for the league title with a 35-7 victory at St. Helena.
“They did very well,” Kelseyville coach Erick Larsen said in assessing the play of his offense, which rushed for 386 yards and had another 110 through the air. “We punted only once.”
Bryan Carillo also had 100 yards rushing with one touchdown, Jordi Lopez finished with 85 yards and a TD, and Robert Chavez had 80 yards and a TD.
“Bryan Carillo ran the ball very well for us and Garcia was impressive running and throwing the ball,” Larsen said. “He got us out of jams a number of times.”
After Willits was able to take advantage of a muffed punt to score its first touchdown, Lopez scored on a 43-yard run later in the first quarter and Carillo kicked the extra point to put Kelseyville ahead to stay at 7-6.
The Knights outscored the Wolverines 21-0 in the second quarter, getting rushing scores from Chavez and Garcia and a 15-yard touchdown pass from Garcia to Aidon McAdon.
Kelseyville and Willits combined for 50 points during a wild third quarter during which Garcia ran for two more scores while also connecting with Zack Taylor on a 35-yard touchdown pass. Carillo added an 8-yard run.
The Knights’ final score came in the fourth quarter on a 23-yard interception return by middle linebacker JD Prescott, who had another big night for Kelseyville. Along with the pick-six, he also recovered a fumble, registered two sacks, and led the team with eight solo tackles and three assists.
“Our defensive line was able to rush the quarterback and get pressure on him,” Larsen said.
In fact, the Knights applied so much pressure that they went on to record five sacks and intercept six Willits passes, three of them by Garcia.
Carillo converted all nine of his extra-point tries.
The Knights hit the road next Friday to play Fort Bragg, needing a victory to finish no worse than tied for second in the final league standings.
Kelseyville also dominated the junior varsity game, winning 37-0.
