Small-school football roundup: Middletown wins one for the hometown 21-0

Middletown High's football team brought the fire-ravaged community together on Friday night, then gave fans reason to celebrate with a 21-0 North Central League I victory at Lower Lake.

'This was a first step back for us,' said Middletown coach Bill Foltmer. 'The place was packed with people wearing purple T-shirts that read 'Back From the Ashes: Middletownstrong.'

'It was a community event as much as a football game. Our players dedicated this one to the whole town.'

Middletown's Coleman Drew rushed for two 7-yard touchdowns in the victory. Stephen Amos also caught a 45-yard TD pass from quarterback Connor Armstrong.

Tyler Chorjel led Middletown with 15 tackles. Wyatt Jones had 10.

The Mustangs start 1-0 in the NCL 1 and 1-2 overall. Lower Lake opens league with 0-1 mark, falling to 3-1 overall.

The Mustangs scored in the first quarter to take a 7-0 lead. They added a second touchdown to extend their advantage to 13-0 midway at halftime.

It marked the first victory of the seasons for the Mustangs. They started with consecutive losses at longtime rival Salesian and then at home against Berean Christian.

The Mustangs' Sept. 19 home game against El Molino was canceled because it was scheduled only days after the fire's destruction.

The loss was the first of the season for Lower Lake.

CALISTOGA 60, POTTER VALLEY 24

At Potter Valley, Edgar Avina ran for two touchdowns in the first half as Calistoga cruised to a North Central League III 8-man football victory.

The Wildcats jumped to a 44-0 lead at halftime.

Tyler Giuntini caught two touchdown passes from Jordan Boele for Potter Valley. Cooper Johnson had a touchdown run.

'We were really down at halftime,' said Potter Valley coach Paul Monlux.

'We came out in the second half and played like we wish they could all the time.'

Calistoga improved to 4-0 in the NCL III and 4-0 overall. Potter Valley drops to 0-4 in league and overall. In its first season in the eight-man league, the Wildcats are proving to be a formidable force.

The key matchup on the league schedule could come Oct. 16 when the Wildcats travel to face defending league champioon Anderson Valley.

ANDERSON VALLEY 60, LAYTONVILLE 8

At Laytonville, undefeated Anderson Valley cruised to its fourth NCL III win.

Michael Beard caught a 40-yard touchdown pass from Garrett Campbell for Laytonville's only touchdown.

Anderson Valley is now 4-0 overall and in league. Laytonville falls to 0-3 both in league and overall.

Anderson Valley's powerful offense is averaging 60 points per game this season.

WILLITS 28, KELSEYVILLE 19

At Kelseyville, quarterback Blake Leslie threw for 75 yards and a touchdown to lead the Wolverines to an NCL I win. Justin Thom led Willits with 58 yards rushing. Will Smith ran for 53.

Willits is 1-0 in league and 4-0. Kelseyville is 1-3 overall, 0-1 in the NCL.

Kelseyville had 34- and 62-yard touchdown passes from Noah Lindell to Gideon Turner. Elias Alvarez had field goals of 27 and 28 yards, respectively.