LAKE COUNTY >> Maybe their passing game hasn’t come online just yet, but the Kelseyville Knights sure know how to run the football.
In a 54-22 victory over the Biggs Wolverines on Friday night in Kelseyville, the Knights ran for 356 yards. All seven of their touchdowns were the result of runs, including a fumble recovered in the end zone by wide receiver Zack Watkins. Not only that, but Kelseyville running backs bit off huge chunks of yardage on nearly all of those scoring runs – 44 yards by Robert Chavez, 44 and 48 yards by Jordi Lopez, 67 and 34 yards by Dylan McAdon, and 38 yards by Brandon Garcia.
Quarterbacks Chavez (first quarter) and Alex Garcia (second through fourth quarters) combined for just 28 yards through the air.
“We’ve got time to work on that before we open league play,” Kelseyville coach Erick Larsen said with an eye toward the Knights’ bye this weekend. They are off until their Sept. 14 North Central League I opener at St. Helena.
Kelseyville joined Middletown and Lower Lake in the winner’s circle during the second full week of the high school football season. Middletown pulled out a 14-13 road victory against Berean Christian despite missing several key starters and with an injury to starting running back Drake Harbison while Lower Lake received another huge effort from quarterback Elijah Hernandez in a 29-27 road victory against El Molino.
Clear Lake and Upper Lake didn’t fare nearly as well as the Cardinals, also missing key components of their offense, were shut out for the second week in a row 26-0 against Pierce, and the young Cougars dropped a 48-6 decision at South Fork.
Statistics
Rushing — Kelseyville’s Jordi Lopez took Week 2 honors and then some with 15 carries for 161 yards and two touchdowns. Teammate Dylan McAdon added 116 yards on four carries and two TDs. Aries Brooke’s 59 yards helped Lower Lake run out the clock in its win over El Molino. Nico Barrio had 55 yards in Middletown’s victory against Berean Christian.
Passing — Lower Lake’s Elijah Hernandez is doing a pretty fair imitation of former standout Hokulani Wickard so far this season for the Trojans. Hernandez went 21-for-31 for 312 yards and a TD against El Molino. Upper Lake’s Ray Moran went 10-for-18 for 117 yards and a TD against South Fork, and Middletown’s RH Hess checked in with 100 yards and a TD against Berean Christian.
Receiving — Lower Lake’s Cole Doud (six catches for 106 yards), Darian James (six catches for 105 yards) and Diego Gonzalez (five catches for 78 yards, TD) did a number on the El Molino secondary. Middletown tight end Brad Clevenger came up big on a number of key plays against Berean Christian, finishing with four catches for 86 yards and a TD. Upper Lake’s Hank Nevarez caught seven passes for 69 yards and a TD against South Fork.
Special teams
Rookie gets it done — Middletown placekicker Jorge Fonseca went 2-for-2 on his extra-point tries in a 14-13 win over Berean Christian. He was called up from the junior varsity team to fill in for regular kicker Casey Chicoine.
Defense
Sealed with a pick — Nico Barrio’s interception in the final seconds preserved Middletown’s win over Berean Christian. In the same game, Middletown middle linebacker Dillon Tingle made a touchdown-saving tackle following a Berean Christian interception.
Two big points — Lower Lake’s Forrest Fowler blocked a punt out of the end zone for a safety, the margin of difference in the Trojans’ victory over El Molino. He also led the team with eight tackles.
Staying active — Lower Lake’s Diego Gonzalez recovered a fumble and was in on six tackles in the win over El Molino. When he wasn’t rushing for 161 yards and two TDs, Kelseyville’s Jordi Lopez also had his moments on defense with a fumble recovery and a sack.
Got his attention — Jared Pyzer’s jarring sack of the Berean Christian quarterback in the second half helped turn momentum in Middletown’s favor in a 14-13 win.
This and that
Sideline appearance — Upper Lake coach Mike Smith showed up in Miranda on Friday night to watch the Cougars battle South Fork. Smith’s son Kellen is recovering from a head injury and is currently at the Vacvaille Kaiser Permanente Medical Center although he’s expected to be transferred to UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital Oakland in the next few days. It’s 226 miles from Vacaville to Miranda, a trip of about four hours.
Bye week — The Kelseyville Knights, 2-1 in the preseason, have a bye this weekend.
Still looking — The Clear Lake Cardinals are not only looking for their first win of the season, but their first point after suffering back-to-back 28-0 and 26-0 shutout losses to open their season. Quarterback Chris White returns to the lineup for the Cardinals’ game this coming Friday in Redding against University Prep (1-1).
Battle of unbeatens — Moreau Catholic (3-0) of Hayward travels to Middletown (2-0) on Friday night, the Mustangs’ home opener.
