LAKE COUNTY — Clear Lake High School junior Hank Ollenberger is the most valuable player on offense while senior teammate Tony Gersalia is the MVP on defense on the 2022 edition of the All-Lake County football team as selected by the Lake County Record-Bee.
Ollenberger, a versatile running back for the Cardinals, and Gersalia, a force at defensive end, played significant roles during the Cardinals’ record-setting 12-2 campaign, one that saw them set a school record for most wins in a season while also becoming the first football team in Lake County history to reach the CIF State Playoffs.
Clear Lake won its first eight games this seaosn before losing in overtime on the road to Willits. The Cardinals clinched one of the most exciting North Central League I races in memory with a come-from-behind 22-21 road win the following week at Cloverdale to close out the regular season. They went on to win straight games in the North Coast Section Division 7 playoffs, coming from behind all three weeks to beat Cloverdale 47-13, Kelseyville 28-22 and No. 1 seed and an undefeated St. Vincent squad 56-55 in a wild section championship game at Rancho Cotate High School in Rohnert Park, a game that was decided by a successful two-point conversion pass in the final seconds.
Clear Lake advanced to the regional round of the 5-A state playoffs and dropped a 42-21 decision to an Orland squad that would go on to win the state championship with a 15-0 record. The Clear Lake-Orland game was a one-score contest until the final three minutes when the Cardinals narrowly missed recovering an onside kick trailing 28-21.
Offense
Ollenberger was a running and receiving threat as well as a special team’s standout. He was among a host of underclassmen manning the skill positions for the Cardinals, most of whom return next season. Often needing a spark to turn the tide, Ollenberger often provided it.
Ollenberger is joined on the All-County offense by teammates Jake Soderquist, a junior quarterback; Cody Hayes, a junior tight end who had a terrific playoff run; Ayden Williamson, a senior wide receiver who caught the two-point conversion pass that clinched the win over St. Vincent; Jesse Hayes, a freshman wide receiver who also came up big in postseason action; and linemen Michael Freese, Axel Alvarez and Diego Brewster-Ramirez, all seniors who anchored Clear Lake’s equally deadly passing and running attack.
Kelseyville
The Kelseyville Knights lost their first four games of the season before catching fire and winning five of their next six to tie for second in the league standings. After upsetting No. 3 seed St. Patrick-St. Vincent 48-30 in the opening round of the Division 7 playoffs, they gave No. 2 seed Clear Lake all it could handle in the semifinals, coming within a score of reaching the sectional finals.
Kelseyville’s All-County players on offense are senior quarterback Luke Watkins, senior running back Samuel Vanoven, sophomore running back Ryan Watkins, sophomore wide receiver Reme Strong, and linemen Steven Frace, a senior, and Alex Martinez, a sophomore.
Middletown
The Middletown Mustangs lost three straight against playoff-bound opponents to open their 2022 schedule, but rallied to finish 5-2 in league and tie for second place. Along the way they helped head coach Bill Foltmer win his 300th career game with a wild 36-29 victory at Cloverdale.
Middletown qualified for the Division 6 playoffs and lost 7-0 to Justin-Siena in a first-round game. Justin-Siena went on to reach the Division 6 championship game before losing 7-0 to Pinole Valley.
Middletown’s All-County players on offense are running backs Jacob Urbina, a senior, and Brandon Costlow, a junior, tight end Evan Harper, a junior, and sophomore lineman Jacob Pullman.
Upper Lake
The Upper Lake Cougars struggled with injuries throughout the 2022 campaign and never reached their potential in their final year as an eight-man football team. They’ll return to playing 11-man football in 2023 when they rejoin the North Central League I.
Upper Lake lost in the first-round of the section’s eight-man playoff tournament and finished 5-5 overall.
The Cougars are represented on the All-County offense by sophomore Delaney Allison, a multi-purpose standout for the team at wide receiver and running back.
All-County defense
Gersalia, a disruptive force if there ever was one, was the leader of a tough-as-nails Clear Lake defense that often played its best football in the second half. Gersalia would come at opposing teams from all angles and the veteran blew up any number of running and passing plays. Both fast and strong, he delivered his share of memorable moments, including on the final play of the section championship game when he ran a long way to deflect what would have been a Hail Mary pass by St. Vincent’s quarterback on the final play.
Gersalia is among seven Clear Lake players to earn All-County honors, joining teammates Diego Brewster-Ramirez and Axel Alvarez (line), Ollenberger and Cody Hayes (linebacker), and juniors Saul Reyes and Graden Greer (secondary).
For Kelseyville, All-County defensive players are Martinez (line), Frace (end), Vanoven (linebacker) and senior Joey Gentle (secondary).
Middletown’s All-County defensive players are junior Oscar Cruz (line) and seniors Urbina and Elijah Diaz (linebacker).
Lower Lake’s All-County defensive player is senior Zander Carver (secondary).
For the Upper Lake Cougars, All-County defensive standouts are senior Luke Summerfield (line), junior Will Henry (end), senior Daylin Hamby (secondary), and junior Nick Foster (multi-purpose).
