NCL I football roundup: Fort Bragg blows out Cloverdale

Defending champion Fort Bragg has re-established itself as the front-runner in the NCL I, rolling to a 49-0 win at Cloverdale on Friday night.

The Timberwolves (4-1, 3-0) led 42-0 at halftime and played their second string the entire second half. Fort Bragg had 405 yards of offense in the first half.

“There is not a lot of drop-off between our first and second teams,” Fort Bragg coach Roy Perkins said. “Having our backups play will pay off.”

The Timberwolves were led as usual by quarterback Lucas Triplett in the air (13-21 passing for three touchdowns - 39, 48 and 34 yards) and on the ground (three rushes for 80 yards and a 47-yard score). Not bad for a half's work.

“Triplett was dynamite from the beginning of the game,” Perkins said. “Cloverdale is a little bit down and our defense was exceptional in the first half.”

The Eagles (1-4, 1-2) continue to struggle in a season that coach Chad Talley termed as a “rebuilding year that would take time.”

CLEAR LAKE 52, WILLITS 22

The visiting Cardinals (3-1, 2-1) rallied behind six touchdowns by running back Sam Long, who had 18 carries for 167 yards and five scores from scrimmage and an 80-yard kickoff return.

“Sam had an exceptional game. Our offensive line did a good job of blocking and he was running hard.”

The Wolverines (0-4, 0-2) only trailed 33-22 at halftime but the Cardinals defense clamped down in the second half.

“Our defense got better as the game went on,” Clear Lake coach Mark Cory said. “In the second half we did a much better job and shut them out.”

KELSEYVILLE 46, SOUTH FORK 7

The Host Knights (2-1) took care of business early and often, rampaging to a 40-0 halftime lead against outmanned Cubs from Miranda in a non-league game.

The Knights (2-1) made hay with the ground game and only threw the ball twice all game. The smaller Cubs (0-4) did not have the muscle to stop Kelseyville as it scored 14 points in the first quarter and 26 in the second quarter to put the game out of reach by halftime.

Kelseyville was led by running back Dwayne Yiggins (161 yards on 10 carries), who scored four touchdowns, including on rushes of 28 and 16 yards and a 50-yard punt return.

“We were able to control the line of scrimmage and pounded the ball,” Kelseyville coach Erick Larsen said.

“We were just bigger and deeper.”

Larsen said he is ready to get Kelseyville back into NCL I play.

“Tonight was a good tune-up,” he said. “We are looking forward to playing Cloverdale next week.”

MIDDLETOWN 22, LOWER LAKE 8

The visiting Mustangs (2-2, 2-0) got a crucial early season win against the Trojans (2-3, 1-2).

Middletown led 14-0 at halftime and 22-0 in the fourth quarter before Lower Lake got on the board on a 5-yard touchdown run in the tail end of the game to avoid the shutout.