KELSEYVILLE — Quarterback Luke Watkins and wide receiver Reme Strong hooked up for a pair of touchdowns and fullback Sam Vanoven rushed for another score Friday night in Kelseyville’s 34-18 non-league varsity football loss to the Fortuna Huskies at Kelseyville High School.
Forutna’s running game was the difference as the Huskies were able to control the ball much of the game.
“We gave up some big plays,” Kelseyville head coach Erick Larsen said. “We had some mistakes and they capitalized.”
Fortuna (1-2) led 14-0 after one quarter, 21-6 at halftime and 28-12 through three quarters.
There were some bright spots on both offense and defense for the Knights (0-2), according to Larsen.
“Sam Vanoven ran the ball like a madman. He did a fantastic job. And our line did a good job blocking and getting physical. I’m proud of them.”
On defense, the Knights made a couple of goal-line stands.
“We had some miscommunication on some plays, mistakes that young teams make,” Larsen said in assessing his team’s performance.
The Knights entered the game minus one of their top players, offensive lineman and defensive end Steven Frace (ankle injury), and they lost another player Friday night when sophomore Kyle Watkins went down with a shoulder injury while making a tackle in the third quarter.
“We don’t know how bad it is yet,” Larsen said.
Game statistics were not available.
Kelseyville’s junior varsity squad did beat Fortuna 26-15 to square its season record at 1-1.
The Knights hit the road next Friday to play Sonoma Valley. The Dragons took a 1-1 record into their road game Saturday against Terra Linda.
