Editor’s note: This is the first in a five-part series previewing Lake County’s varsity football teams as they prepare for the 2018 season.
KELSEYVILLE >> The Kelseyville Knights missed winning a North Central League I championship by two points in 2017. More specifically, it was a 7-6 loss to Middletown early in the season at Kelseyville that made all the difference.
Middletown went on to run the table with a 7-0 league record while Kelseyville finished 6-1. In fact, two of the Knights’ three losses a year ago came to the Mustangs, who also prevailed 7-0 in a playoff meeting in Middletown.
Returning all but a handful of key players this season, the Knights and fourth-year head coach Erick Larsen are poised to complete the climb to the top of the NCL I heap. While the loss of such All-League players as linebacker JD Prescott, tight end Scott Sanchez and offensive lineman Jon Vanderwall certainly hurts, Kelseyville does return All-League running back Adrian Villalobos, two-time All-League defensive end Bryan Carrillo and All-League defensive back Zack Watkins, not to mention quarterback Alex Garcia, running backs Robert Chavez and Jordi Lopez and lineman Javante Gregoire, just to name a few.
“We definitely feel good about what we have,” Larsen said of his 2018 squad, which starts its season Friday on the road against Stellar Prep of Oakland, a rematch of last year’s season opener won 8-0 by the Knights at Kelseyville. “Our core group (13 players) has put a lot of time in in the offseason. Others have put in some time.”
Kelseyville’s strengths without a doubt are its offensive and defensive backfields, which return nearly intact from last year’s 8-3 squad.
The roster, currently about 25 players strong, could use one or two more experienced linemen, according to Larsen.
“Javante Gregoire is the leader up front and our success is going to really depend on his leadership with the line,” Larsen said of the senior tackle.
Another line veteran is senior Liam Terrell.
“We’re green with some of the other line spots,” Larsen said. “Replacing Sanchez (at tight end) is going to be tough. If we do not have a solid tight end type of kid, we’ll probably just go to the next best lineman.”
Like all of the football teams in Lake County this season, the Knights are off to a slow start because of the havoc created by the Mendocino Complex fires and the resulting unhealthy air, which has made it difficult to practice outside. Inside practices get you only so far, according to Larsen.
“We really haven’t had the opportunity to look at kids at game speed because we’ve been indoors so much,” he said.
Throw in the additional handicap of the Knights playing on zero week this season — the first week teams are allowed to play games (Aug. 17-18) — and the Knights are scrambling even more to get ready for Stellar Prep on Friday evening. The county’s other teams don’t open until the weekend of Aug. 24-25.
“I’m concerned about being properly prepared given our lack of (outside) practices,” Larsen said.
While the team is flush with returning two-way starters — Garcia (quarterback/linebacker), Chavez (running back/linebacker), Villalobos (back-receiver/safety), Watkins (receiver/cornerback) and Lopez (running back/defensive line) — Larsen said those players must play up to their ability again this season if the Knights are going to contend for a league championship.
“We can’t walk in there thinking we’re going to beat people just because we were good last season,” Larsen said. “We need to keep working hard and keep improving. Nothing is going to be given to us.”
Two players Larsen is looking for to make major strides this season are senior linebacker Lukaz Molinero and senior guard Horacio Montes de Oca.
Up from the junior varsity squad are junior Jayto Bonson, Roman Aceves, Dylan McAdon, Bob Schierbeck, Johnny Rixen and Chase Larsen, all of whom bring something to the table, according to Larsen.
“He has a great work ethic and brings a lot of enthusiasm,” Larsen said of Bonson. “Shierbeck is looking really good and has turned a few heads (at tackle). He’s a big, strong kid.”
Rixen (lineman) and Larsen (linebacker) are sophomores who are up on the varsity to play, not sit on the bench.
“Rixen gives us added depth on the defensive line and Larsen can also play in the backfield (as a fullback),” Larsen said.
Looking ahead to the league race, Larsen said there is no reason the Knights shouldn’t be in the title mix again this season.
“I think we’re in the thick of things and have as good as shot as anyone,” he said. “We’re not looking past anybody.”
With St. Vincent’s departure from the NCL I after the conclusion of last season, the Knights have three non-league games to prepare for their league opener Sept. 14 at St. Helena. After the season opener against Stellar Prep on Friday, the Knights return home for back-to-back games against Berean Christian (Aug. 24) and Biggs (Aug. 31). They have a bye week on Sept. 7.
“Having three games to get ready for league is an advantage,” Larsen said. “Then we have a bye week to regroup for our league opener. I like that.”
