RIO VISTA — Backup quarterback Graden Greer passed for each of Clear Lake’s first three scores in a 33-0 win over the Rio Vista Rams in non-league varsity football action Friday night in Rio Vista.
Freshman running back Jesse Hayes caught two of those touchdown passes while running back Hank Ollenberger rushed for 123 yards and Clear Lake’s final two scores as the Cardinals improved to 3-0.
“It’s good to be 3-0,” Clear Lake head coach Mark Cory said. “I don’t know the last time a Clear Lake team started 3-0. It hasn’t happened since I’ve been here (beginning in 2016).”
The Cardinals entered play minus a handful of players and lost another one during the game – Isaiah Reed dislocated his knee in the second half. Greer started in place of the injured Jake Soderquist (sore calf), who did suit up but was limited to holding on extra points.
“Overall we played a good game,” Cory said. “We came out in the second half with more energy.”
Clear Lake’s defense recorded its first shutout of the season by not letting the Rams (2-3) get anywhere close to the end zone.
“I don’t think they got inside our 30 and it wasn’t until the middle of the second quarter when they got their first first down,” Cory said.
Defensive tackle Diego Brewster led the way along with outside linebackers Ollenberger and Wade Wittman, according to Cory.
“Diego Brewster had a great game and he also intercepted a pass,” Cory said.
Clear Lake had three interceptions overall with Ollenberger and Saul Reyes also picking off passes. Ollenberger also had one of the team’s two sacks while Hayes had the other.
The Cardinals gradually picked up momentum on offense as the game progressed. Greer’s 7-yard pass to Ayden Williamson got them on the scoreboard in the first quarter and his 9-yarder to Hayes made it 13-0 in the second quarter. The same combination hooked up from 13 yards in the third quarter for a 20-0 lead.
Ollenberger runs of 2 yards in the third quarter and 2 yards in the fourth quarter pushed the Cardinals’ advantage to 33-0.
“Ollenberger had some big runs for us in the second half,” Cory said of the junior.
Greer went 12-for-20 for 159 yards and the three TDs in his first varsity start. He also threw two interceptions.
“He had some good moments and some bad moments, but he did a good job,” Cory said. “It’s not easy to go out there and play in that situation.”
Hayes (five catches for 68 yards) and Williamson (four catches for 66 yards) were Greer’s chief targets. Ollenberger also had three receptions for 30 yards.
Clear Lake’s offensive line played a third straight game without allowing a sack.
In junior varsity action Friday, Clear Lake opened up a 25-0 lead and went on to beat Lower Lake 25-12 in a non-league game at Lakeport. It was the Cardinals’ first win of the season and the Trojans’ first loss.
Both Clear Lake teams are at home next Friday when they open their North Central League I schedule against Kelseyville, the annual Bass Bowl game.
