Prep sports news and notes: Kelseyville defender just one of the guys

Every now and then a girl will make a varsity football team in the North Coast, usually as a kicker. But Kelseyville's Michael-Anne Howard has taken it a step further.

Howard was down in the trenches, playing defensive tackle for the Knights this season. Observers might not even notice with pads and helmet on, but Howard's long red braid invites a second look.

“She had no problem getting in the mix and having fun,” coach Erick Larsen said. “It was nice having her there.”

Howard's brothers played football and she decided she wanted to carry on that tradition, Larsen said.

Though not a starter, she played in several games for the Knights, who finished 9-4 overall and 5-3 in the North Central League I, losing in the Division 5 semifinals last week to Fort Bragg.

A junior, Howard is expected to play next season as well. She is also active in 4H and agriculture studies.

“Those farm girls are tough,” Larsen said. “She's a neat kid.”

END OF THE LINE

Two former Redwood Empire standouts played their final community college football game Saturday when No. 1-ranked Butte College fell 15-9 to visiting No. 2 American River in the NorCal championship game.

Sophomores Tanner Cristando, who prepped at Healdsburg, started at defensive end. Anthony Feliciano, who played for his dad Leon at Tomales, started at tight end. Both helped the Roadrunners go 5-0 in conference and win the NorCal conference championship. The Roadrunners finished the season 9-3.

GENDER SWITCH

Turns out Duane Nelson couldn't stay retired for long. After 23 years coaching boys, Nelson is now leading the girls basketball program at Ukiah.

“I thought after I retired from Willits last year that would be the end of my head coaching career,” he said. “Then, Ukiah needed a girls coach and the school is near where I live. So, I took the job.”

Nelson led the boys program at Willits for 10 years and before that he was at Upper Lake for seven seasons and Laytonville for five.

“I'll tell you, it's a lot different coaching girls than boys,” Nelson said with a chuckle.

Ukiah lost its opener to San Marin and plays Chico in the Dorothy Speck Tournament on Thursday.

TOUGH TOURNAMENT

With the football season deep into the playoffs, basketball is in its initial stages. One of the best tournaments in the Empire - the Russ Peterich Tip-Off Classic at Montgomery - begins Thursday. Four of the teams won 17 or more games last season and those four all made it to the state tournament - Montgomery (17-13), Monte Vista (24-8), Vanden (24-7) and McClymonds (21-7). Also particpating are Santa Rosa, Campolindo and Liberty.

WINDSOR OUTLOOK

Windsor is the reigning NBL boys basketball champion but coach Travis Taylor knows it's going to be hard to repeat. The Jaguars graduated 10 players, including All-Empire star Gabe Knight.

“We'll have to see how it goes,” Taylor said. “This year's group has a good attitude, so I'm optimistic.”

The Jaguars opened with a 61-50 victory against San Marin and will be in Ukiah on Thursday for the Fred Iten Tournament. Windsor opens against Fort Bragg.

ANALY BACK FOR MORE

Analy's boys basketball squad looks like the team to beat in the Sonoma County League. Coach Brett Page welcomed back nine seniors.

“We should be pretty good,” Page said after the Tigers opened the season with a 64-58 victory against Ukiah.

Leading the way were Aidan Toner-Rodgers and Dominic Tripodi. Analy will get a boost when several football players are ready to compete. Among those on the roster are Eric Bendyke, Jack Newman and Spencer Vogel.

Lori A. Carter, Kerry Benefield and Howard Senzell contributed to this report.