LAKE COUNTY — The Keleyville Knights make their living running the football, but it’s sure nice to know the passing game is there when needed.
That was the case for the second week in a row as the Knights turned back a strong challenge from the Cloverdale Eagles to win 22-15 in a North Central League I first-place showdown on Friday night in Kelseyville, where a week earlier the passing game also proved instrumental in a 16-0 victory over the Fort Bragg Timberwolves. The stakes were a bit higher Friday as both Kelseyville and Cloverdale entered league play with 3-0 records. The Eagles pushed ahead 15-14 with 3:40 remaining in the game, but it was a 73-yard bomb from quarterback Alex Garcia to wide receiver Zack Watkins only 17 seconds later that put the Knights back in front to stay.
Kelseyville head coach Erick Larsen said the decision to come out throwing on first down was a no-brainer even though the Knights had plenty of time work the ball down the field with their running game. With Cloverdale bringing up 10 men to the line of scrimmage on defense and daring Kelseyville to put the ball up top, that’s exactly what the Knights did. A well-covered Watkins came down with the ball and raced up the sideline and into the end zone for the game-winning score.
The Knights’ defense took it from there, stopping Cloverdale on its two final possessions; once on a punt and again on a Brandon Garcia interception in the final seconds.
Following is a recap of some of the highlights and lowlights of Week 7 of the high school football season in Lake County:
Statistics
Rushing — Middletown’s Drake Harbison ran all over the St. Helena Saints, piling up 184 yards on 18 carries and scoring three times in a 34-7 victory over St. Helena. Clear Lake’s Rodrigo Lupercio finished with 95 yards on 13 carries and a touchdown in a 21-6 road loss to Fort Bragg. Kelseyville’s one-two punch of Robert Chavez (15 carries for 70 yards) and Jordi Lopez (14 for 52, 2 TDs) powered Kelseyville in its win over Cloverdale. Quarterback Alex Garcia also got into the act with 69 yards on seven carries.
Passing — Lower Lake’s Elijah Hernandez broke the Trojans’ single-season passing record by completing 14 of 24 passes for 197 yards and four touchdowns in a 58-27 loss to Willits.
Receiving — Samaj Clark caught three passes for 95 yards for Lower Lake. Middletown running back Nico Barrio had three catches for 88 yards and a TD. Kelseyville’s Zack Watkins caught two passes for 85 yards, including a game-winning 73-yard bomb against Cloverdale. Gavin Watson and Cole Doud each had two touchdown receptions against Willits.
Special teams
Kicking — Middletown’s Jorge Fonseca converted four of his five extra-point kicks against St. Helena.
Sneaky — Clear Lake’s lone touchdown against Fort Bragg came on a direct snap to Rodrigo Lupercio as the Cardinals were in punt formation. Lupercio motored 65 yards for a touchdown that cut Fort Bragg’s lead to 7-6.
Defense
It’s not your ball, it’s mine — Middletown defensive lineman Jared Pyzer ripped the ball out of the St. Helena quarterback’s arms and returned it 46 yards for a touchdown on Friday night at Bill Foltmer Field. Though it’s considered a fumble, the ball never touched the ground.
Sealed with a pick — Brandon Garcia sealed Kelseyville’s 22-15 home win over Cloverdale with an interception and 20-yard return.
Interceptions — Lower Lake’s Gavin Watson picked off a pair of Willits passes.
Safety — Kelseyville quarterback Alex Garcia was flagged for intentional grounding in the end zone against Cloverdale, an automatic safety. Prior to that safety, the Knights made a goal-line stand to keep the Eagles out of the end zone, which is why they were pinned so deep in their own end.
Getting it done — Middletown defensive linemen Jared Pyzer and James Hernandez helped shut down St. Helena’s running game on Friday night in Middletown. “Both of those guys did a great job,” Middletown coach Bill Foltmer said.
This and that
Sole possession of first — The Kelseyville Knights are 4-0 in the NCL I standings with three games remaining. They travel to Lower Lake (0-4) on Friday, visit Willits (1-3) on Oct. 19, and host Clear Lake (1-3) in the annual Bass Bowl game on Oct. 26.
Battle for the basement — The Willits Wolverines scored a 58-27 blowout of the Lower Lake Trojans on Friday night at Gordon Sadler Field, their first win of the season. The Wolverines snapped a seven-game losing streak dating back to last season.
Streaks — Kelseyville has won six in a row while Lower Lake has dropped four straight.
Team record — Lower Lake quarterback Elijah Hernandez has passed for 1,989 yards this season, which is a single-season school record, breaking the mark set last year by Hokulani Wickard (1,978), who is now the starting quarterback for Shasta College. Hernandez needs another 208 yards to become Lake County’s single-season passing leader. The “old” record belongs to Clear Lake’s Alex Adams, who passed for 2,196 yards last season. Hernandez goes up against the league-leading Kelseyville Knights on Friday night.
Hit the ejection button — Lower Lake head coach Justin Gaddy and Trojans players Cole Doud and Diego Gonzalez were ejected from the team’s 58-27 loss to Willits.
Happy homecoming — Upper Lake (0-6) celebrates its homecoming on Friday night against Point Arena in NCL III North action, while Middletown’s homecoming is Friday night against Willits in NCL I action.
No. 100 denied — St. Helena head coach Brandon Ferrell was denied in his first bid for career win No. 100 on Friday night at Middletown. The Saints can deliver that 100th win this coming Friday at home against Fort Bragg.
Volleyball title watch — The Kelseyville Knights can clinch their fourth straight varsity league championship on Tuesday night with a victory at Middletown. In the junior varsity match between those two schools on Tuesday, the winner will take over sole possession of first place.
TDs wiped out — The Kelseyville Knights had two touchdowns called back on penalties Friday night against Cloverdale. The first was a pass from Alex Garcia to Zack Watkins, the second a long run by Robert Chavez.
JV news — Middletown’s JV football team remains undefeated on the season after beating St. Helena 35-19.
You don’t see it? — If you don’t see results from your favorite team, varsity or JV, in the Record-Bee print edition or online, there’s one very simple reason; it’s not being reported by the coach. If it’s reported to us, we report it to you.
