LAKE COUNTY >> Elijah Hernandez passed for six touchdowns and ran for another as the Lower Lake Trojans overcame 141 yards in penalties to rout Novato 60-13 on homecoming Friday night at Gordon Sadler Field.
Hernandez passed for 356 yards, giving him 668 yards in the last two weeks alone. His two favorite targets against Novato were wide receivers Darian James (four catches for 196 yards, 3 TDs) and Diego Gonzalez (four catches for 109 yards, 2 TDs).
Even with all the good things the Trojans did, Lower Lake head coach Justin Gaddy was fuming over the penalty yardage accumulated by his squad, calling it unacceptable.
“It takes away all the wonderful things we accomplished on offense, defense and special teams,” Gaddy said.
Lower Lake finishes the preseason portion of its schedule at 2-1 and can now look ahead to a home game this Friday night against Middletown in the North Central League I opener for both teams. Middletown is the defending champion.
In other Week 3 action, Moreau Catholic handed Middletown its first loss, 35-21, Calistoga knocked off Upper Lake 39-20 in a rare 5 p.m. start, and the Clear Lake Cardinals fell 15-0 to University Prep of Redding.
Following are the highlights and lowlights from Week 3:
Statistics
Rushing — Middletown’s Nico Barrio led the way in Week 3 with 149 yards and three touchdowns. Lower Lake’s Aries Brooke (124 yards, TD) and Upper Lake’s Hank Nevarez (119 yards, TD) were close behind.
Passing — The aforementioned Nevarez of Lower Lake posted his second straight 300-yard-plus performance, completing 12 of 23 passes for 356 yards and six TDs against a winless Novato squad. Upper Lake’s Ray Moran was on the run most of the game against Calistoga’s pass rush but he still managed to complete 17 of 28 passes for 141 yards and two TDs.
Receiving — Lower Lake’s James (196 yards, 3 TDs) and Gonzalez (109 yards, 2 TDs) certainly had productive nights in the south county. Nevarez had three catches for 50 yards and a TD in Upper Lake’s loss.
Special teams
Kicking — Gavin Watson had a busy night for the Trojans, attempting seven extra-point kicks and converting four. Middletown’s Jorge Fonseca went 3-for-3.
Juked out of their shoes — Calistoga freshman Christian Caldera turned what appeared to be a very short kickoff return against Upper Lake to start the game into a 69-yard touchdown. Two Upper Lake defenders were right on Caldera, who made a quick move that left the two Cougars grasping at air.
Defense
Getting it done — Lower Lake’s Cole Doud recovered a fumble, intercepted a pass and was credited with four tackles against Novato. Teammate Adam Deleon added a team-best eight tackles and an interception.
Setting up six — Guy Boyd’s interception early on for Middletown set up the Mustangs’ first score against Moreau Catholic.
Ball magnet — Calistoga’s Gabriel Sullivan recovered three fumbles against Upper Lake.
Bringing the heat — Calistoga sacked Upper Lake quarterback Ray Moran five times.
This and that
One is the loneliest number — The Upper Lake-Calistoga game was assigned only one official. White hat Logan Weiper worked alone and did a highly commendable job.
Final preseason records — Kelseyville 2-1, Lower Lake 2-1, Middletown 2-1, Clear Lake 0-3.
NCL I openers — On Friday night it’s Willits (0-3) at Clear Lake (0-3), Middletown (2-1) at Lower Lake (2-1), Kelseyville (2-1) at St. Helena (2-1), and Fort Bragg (1-2) at Cloverdale (2-1).
Maybe this week — Clear Lake is still looking to score its first point of the season after three straight shutout losses to open its season.
