KELSEYVILLE — A 12-yard Willits touchdown pass just eight seconds into the second quarter was all the scoring the Wolverines needed to beat the Kelseyville Knights 7-0 in a North Central League I varsity football battle of defenses Friday night in Kelseyville.
Kelseyville (1-2 league, 1-5 overall) had a couple of chances to reach the end zone but both were scuttled by 15-yard penalties, including on the Knights’ final drive when a player was ejected game for unsportsmanlike conduct.
“We’re making mental mistakes, which is what young teams do,” Kelseyville head coach Erick Larsen said. “Give it up to Willits for playing good defense. They stopped us when they needed to.”
Kelseyville was minus two starters even before its homecoming game kicked off. Outside linebacker Jesse Gonzales sustained an injury in practice Thursday, forcing the Knights to use a new and relatively untested player at that position.
“Jesse had all the reps in practice this week,” Larsen said.
The Knights also had to go with backup quarterback Zayne Barker because starter Luke Watkins had a nagging injury that prevented him from taking the field against Willits.
“Zayne did a pretty good job, but we were down weapons and didn’t have the horsepower to punch it in,” Larsen said.
Willits (2-1, 2-4) took advantage of Gonzales’ replacement at outside linebacker early in the game, including on its touchdown drive.
“They hit a couple of big swing passes in the flat, one for a big first down and one for a touchdown,” Larsen said.
Kelseyville’s deepest penetration was to the Willits 12 before being backed up by a drive-killing 15-yard penalty.
The Knights’ defense shut down the Wolverines on every drive but one.
“The defense had a great football game, we put up some good stops,” Larsen said.
Kelseyville should have Watkins back next Friday when its travels to Cloverdale (1-2, 3-2) and could see a couple of other key players return to the field who have yet to suit up for a league game. Gonzales’ status is still up in the air, according to Larsen.
The Knights had 145 yards of total offense and running back Jake Keithly accounted for most of those with 72 yards rushing on 17 carries and four catches for 46 yards.
On defense, Joey Gentle had a 33-yard interception return while Steve Frace had 10 unassisted tackles and three assists with one sack. Sam Vanoven added seven solo stops and an assist.
Willits hosts Middletown (2-1, 3-3) next week.
In other NCL I games played Friday, Middletown beat Fort Bragg 43-7, Clear Lake shut out Lower Lake 43-0, and St. Helena routed Cloverdale 49-6.
Willits beat Kelseyville 28-14 in junior varsity action.
