UPPER LAKE — Benjamin Beecher rushed for 157 yards and a touchdown Friday night to lead the Upper Lake Cougars past the Tomales Braves 24-6 in eight-man non-league football action at Upper Lake High School.
With Upper Lake down two running backs entering play, the Cougars were looking for a big game from Beecher and he didn’t disappoint, according to head coach Vince Moran.
“He definitely did the job running the ball,” Moran said of Beecher’s 15 carries, which included a 2-yard touchdown in the first quarter that put Upper Lake ahead to stay at 6-0.
While Beecher’s huge night played a prominent role in the Cougars improving to 3-0 on the season, Moran said the team did miss the short-yardage capabilities of fullbacks Joey Franklin (out with an injury) and Will Henry (away on a team-approved trip).
“We could have used them in short-yardage situations … we lost some power,” Moran said.
Upper Lake upped its lead to 18-0 in the second quarter on a Jerod Rosales 24-yard pass to Daylin Hamby and a Rosales 23-yard pass to Nick Foster. Tomales scored later in the quarter to make it 18-6.
The Cougars picked up an insurance touchdown in the third quarter as Rosales, a sophomore, threw his third touchdown of the night, an 18-yarder to Delaney Allison.
Rosales finished 10-for-12 for 125 yards, with Hamby (five catches for 45 yards) his favorite target.
Both teams were hurt by penalties during the game. Upper Lake committed only one turnover and had two takeaways on defense — a fumble recovery by Ethan Garrison and an interception by Hamby.
Tomales fell to 0-3 on the season but not for a lack of effort, according to Moran.
“I was kind of impressed with Tomales,” Moran said. “They improved a lot from the last time I saw them and they were more physical than I expected.”
Foster anchored the Upper Lake defense with his play at end, according to Moran.
“He had a really strong game,” Moran said.
Among the other Upper Lake standouts were Hamby, both for his play on offense and defense, Allison and Rosales.
“He looked real good,” Moran said of his quarterback, who also had 20 yards yards rushing.
Allison finished had 40 yards rushing on nine carries to go along with his touchdown catch.
Upper Lake opens its North Central League II schedule next Friday at home against California School for the Deaf.
