UKIAH — Robert Chavez the running back and Robert Chavez the middle linebacker both did a number on the Ukiah Wildcats during a non-league varsity football game that was all Kelseyville Knights on Friday night in Ukiah.
While Chavez was hardly a one-man show in Kelseyville’s 40-14 victory, he certainly was one of the headliners as the Knights squared their season record at 1-1.
“A lot of the things we did not do well last week against San Marin (a 28-6 loss) we did a much better job on tonight,” said Kelseyville coach Erick Larsen, who was happy to get that first win in the bank for the 2019 season. “Especially playing a good program like Ukiah. I knew we were in for a tough game and I was pleasantly surprised how we did.”
Chavez, a senior and last year’s most valuable play on defense in the North Central League I as well as an All-League first-team running back, was impressive on both sides of the line of scrimmage again on Friday as the Wildcats found out all too well. He rushed for 173 yards with two touchdowns and also caught a 12-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Cory Holt for the game’s first points early in the second quarter.
Once the Knights had the lead, they kept adding to it. It was 20-0 by halftime, 28-0 after three quarters and 34-0 in the fourth quarter before Ukiah finally scored. A 21-yard Chavez run with 2:26 left in the game put the final touches on Kelseyville’s initial victory of the season.
On defense, Chavez led the team with 17 unassisted tackles.
“The defense played fantastic,” Larsen said, complimenting all facets of the Kelseyville unit.
“The defensive tackles (Roman Aceves and Johnny Rixen) were able to take away the cutback better than they did a week ago and that allowed the linebackers to fly to the ball. Chavez did a fantastic job and (Dylan) McAdon (outside linebacker) made some pivotal plays that changed momentum.”
Even Kelseyville’s young secondary got in its licks as Tyler Linnell and Matt Gomora picked off passes. Jayto Bonson added a fumble recovered and Rixen had a sack. Both McAdon and Chase Larsen finished with eight solo tackles and four assists apiece.
On offense, the Knights rolled up 331 yards on the ground. Besides Chavez, McAdon rushed for 141 yards on 15 carries, including a 56-yard TD run in the second quarter. Brandon Garcia also scored on a 7-yard run in the second quarter.
Holt, in his second start this season, completed 6 of 15 passes for 91 yards, including a 52-yard TD strike to Larsen in the third quarter.
A pair of Chavez scoring runs accounted for all of Kelseyville’s points in the fourth quarter.
“We were able to run the ball pretty well,” Larsen said. “We shot ourselves in the football a couple of times, but then things starting clicking. A couple of (Ukiah) turnovers helped us gain momentum.”
Ukiah won the junior varsity game 42-12 but Larsen said he is impressed with how a young JV squad is holding up against the two large schools they’ve faced in back-to-back weeks.
“I’m really proud of the JVs,” Larsen said. “They play fearless.”
Kelseyville wraps up its preseason schedule next Friday at home against another large school in the Fortuna Huskies. The Knights then have a bye on Sept. 13 before opening league play Sept. 20 at home against St. Helena.
