LAKE COUNTY— By the time the running clock started in the second half of Middletown High School’s game Friday against the visiting Terra Linda Trojans, senior running back Brandon Costlow had already scored three touchdowns and the Mustangs (1-1) were well on their way not only to their first home victory of the young season, but added to a slew of Lake County football team routes on a night where the home teams outscored the opposition an average of 43-20.
In addition to Middletown’s 43 point win over the Trojans, the Clear Lake Cardinals beat Pierce 42-0, and Lower Lake blanked Ygnacio Valley 38-0.
Football recaps for week 2 courtesy of Lake County Sports:
At Middletown, senior running back Brandon Costlow rushed for 119 yards and three touchdowns while Trever Smith added 89 yards on the ground and another touchdown as the Mustangs rolled past the Terra Linda Trojans in Middletown’s home opener.
Smith also caught both of quarterback Blake Costlow’s completions on the night for 70 yards. Running back Trenton Griffith added 44 yards on six carries with a touchdown.
Middletown linebacker Jacob Pullman anchored the defense with 10 solo tackles and four assists while Griffith had four tackles and four assists.
The Mustangs led 14-0 after one quarter and 30-0 at halftime.
It was the 302nd career victory for Middletown head coach Bill Foltmer, now in his 39th season at the school. Foltmer is the winningest coach in Redwood Empire history and among the state’s all-time leaders. He was recently recognized for these honors by Senator Mike McGuire’s office.
“Our main goal this week was to keep getting better,” said Foltmer after the game adding that after this win, Middletown is un good shape going into their bye week next week before clashing with Kelseyville in League play on September 15. He added that he wasn’t surprised with Terra Linda’s offensive plan. “Their quarterback is good, he has a strong arm. “We got an early charge and sometimes that changes the entire game plan. I was just really proud of the way we played, it’s a good win.”
Middletown also won the JV game, posting a 14-7 victory.
Lower Lake 38, Ygnacio Valley 0
At Lower Lake, sophomore quarterback Ashton Hartmann passed for five touchdowns, two of them going to wide receiver Charles Jones, as the Lower Lake Trojans snapped an eight-game losing streak dating back to last season while handing Ygnacio Valley (0-2) its 26th consecutive loss.
Lower Lake (1-1) won its first home game since Oct. 25, 2019, which is also the last time Ygnacio Valley won a game.
Hartmann also completed touchdown passes to Buddy Felder, Jevon Donnell and Robert Saldana.
The Trojans led 19-0 after one quarter and 30-0 at halftime.
Luke Campbell intercepted two Ygnacio Valley passes while Felder and Damarian Jones also had interceptions.
Lower Lake’s special teams also came up big as Zakai Vilmenay returned a kickoff 90 yards for a touchdown.
There was no JV game.
Kelseyville 49, Sonoma Valley 20
At Kelseyville, Sonoma Valley opened an early 7-0 lead before the Kelseyville Knights came storming back to rout the Dragons and improve to 2-0 on the season.
Kyle Watkins scored on a 64-yard run early in the second quarter to snap a 7-7 tie and put the Knights ahead to stay. The junior running back carried the ball 15 times for 197 yards with two touchdowns. He added a third score by returning an interception in the second quarter to boost Kelseyville’s lead to 28-7.
Max Hommer scored twice for the Knights. His 1-yard touchdown run tied the score at 7-7 in the first quarter and he added a 90-yard kickoff return in the second half.
Tyler Bryant scored on a seven-yard TD reception for the Knights and Anthony DeJohn had a touchdown run.
Kelseyville rushed for 345 yards.
Michael DeJohn’s nine tackles fueled a strong effort by the Kelseyville defense. Casey Huston and Jonathon Dougherty each had six tackles while Shane Poff and DeJohn had five apiece.
Alexis Martinez, Landon Johnson and Frank Cortez anchored another strong effort by the offensive line and Jayden Teabo powered the Knights’ defensive line.
Jose Juarez converted all seven of his extra-point kicks.
Sonoma Valley won the JV game 34-27 despite Bryce Keener’s 143 rushing yards. Michael Dougherty added 46 yards on seven carries and Max Lee had a 40-yard reception.
Clear Lake 42, Pierce High School 0
Clear Lake opened a new season with a 42-0 victory over Pierce High School of Arbuckle on Friday night in Lakeport. The Cardinals begin defense of their North Central League I championship next Friday at home against Upper Lake (0-1). Clear Lake also opened its 12-2 season in 2022 with a win over Pierce, a 28-15 decision.
