LAKEPORT — Nothing like making a statement in the first game of the season. That’s what Jesse Hayes did on Saturday for the Westshore Cardinals in a 40-6 season-opening win over the Northshore Cougars in varsity action at Don Owens Stadium in Lakeport.
Hayes rushed for 183 yards on 12 carries, including touchdown runs of (in order) 20 yards, 10 yards, 75 yards and 36 yards.
Riken Villanueva also scored on a 45-yard fumble recovery and teammate Mikel Compton added a 4-yard touchdown run for Westshore.
The Cardinals opened up a 26-0 lead before the Cougars reached the scoreboard in the second quarter. Westshore led 13-0 after one quarter and 33-6 at halftime.
Hayes’ 36-yard run in the third quarter and the ensuing extra-point run pushed the Cardinals’ lead to 40-6, at which point the league’s 30-point mercy rule came into play. Play continues and scoring is recorded once the mercy rule goes into effect, but per league rules the final score does not change from that point.
Compton finished with 72 yards on only four carries.
On defense, Villanueva led the way with a tackle and four assists.
“Considering what the kids have been through the last couple of years, they did great,” Westshore head coach Derek Butcher said of losing the entire 2020 season to the COVID-19 pandemic. “We are happy football is back. Sports are magical medicine.”
Upper Lake scoring and statistics were not reported.
Northshore won the junior varsity game 14-6. Westshore won the pee wee game by forfeit because Northshore could not field a team because of COVID-19.
Westshore’s teams are home again Saturday to play Cloverdale. Pee wee action begins at 4 p.m. with the JV and varsity games to follow. Northshore’s teams are home against Fort Bragg beginning at 4 p.m.
Game notes: The Record-Bee welcomes results from all Lake County youth football teams. Final scores, individual statistics and game details can be e-mailed to RBSports@aol.com and should be sent no later than Tuesday. You must include complete first and last names.
