UPPER LAKE — The Upper Lake Cougars didn’t take any prisoners in a 42-6 victory over the Potter Valley Bearcats in the eight-man North Central League II football opener for both teams Friday night in Upper Lake.
After losing each of its last two games, 11-man contests to visiting Williams and Maxwell teams, the Cougars (1-0 league, 3-2 overall) put 30 points on the board in the first quarter against the Bearcats (0-1, 0-2) with the offense, defense and special teams all getting into the act.
Upper Lake had a 36-0 lead at halftime.
“After the last couple of weeks it was good to get into the win column again,” Upper Lake head coach Vince Moran said. “It (scoring) was happening so fast in the first quarter.”
Upper Lake’s running game, passing game, special teams and defense all produced touchdowns in the first 12 minutes.
Running back Kyle Grandi opened the scoring with a 41-yard reception, the first high school passing touchdown for freshman quarterback Jerod Rosales in his first varsity start. Fullback Bradley Sneathen added the conversion run for a 8-0 lead.
“He looked good,” Moran said of Rosales, who went 7-for-11 for 108 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions.
Rosales took charge with Upper Lake’s starters and substitutes alike, according to Moran.
“We were subbing in guys who are not used to playing, trying to get everyone into the game, and he did a good job getting everyone lined up, adjusting on the fly,” Moran said.
The player Rosales replaced at quarterback, senior Cody Banks, also had a big game for the Cougars at wingback on offense and at safety on defense. Banks recovered a fumble on a running play, scooping up the ball and returning it for the touchdown, then running in the conversion for a 16-0 Upper Lake lead.
“Cody has some good carries for us and he demonstrated good leadership out there on defense,” Moran said.
In addition to his fumble recovery for a touchdown, Banks carried the ball five times for 32 yards, caught a 28-yard pass, and intercepted a pass.
Upper Lake’s special teams then answered as Will Henry blocked a punt that teammate Nick Foster returned for a touchdown. Banks again ran in the conversion for a 24-0 lead.
Sneathen’s 1-yard TD run capped the 30-0 first quarter.
Upper Lake, which had a turnover-free game, added a couple of insurance touchdowns after that. Grandi scored on a 1-yard Rosales pass in the second quarter for a 36-0 lead, and Henry, the Cougars’ leading rusher with 82 yards on 13 carries, scored on a 1-yard run in the fourth quarter.
Potter Valley ran for a touchdown in the third quarter to make it 36-6, but that’s all the Upper Lake defense allowed.
The Cougars forced four turnovers, including a fumble recovery by Sneathen and an interception by Delaney Allison. Cornerback Daylin Hamby led the team with 15 total tackles and Foster had a sack.
Upper Lake hosts Round Valley of Covelo next Friday at 6 p.m.
