Varsity Trojans youth squad draws Middletown in championship game
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CLOVERDALE >> The No. 3-seeded Lower Lake Trojans upset No. 2 seed Willits 14-12 on Saturday in the varsity semifinals of the Mendo-Lake Empire Junior Football League playoffs at Cloverdale High School.
The win puts Lower Lake (7-2) into the varsity championship game Saturday against undefeated Middletown (9-0), a 6-0 winner over Northshore in the other semifinals played Saturday in Sonoma. The finals take place at Upper Lake High School with a 7:30 p.m. kickoff.
Lower Lake lost to Willits 42-7 in the opening week of the regular season.
“This has been an incredible year for us,” Lower Lake head coach Mark Garner said. “Our players and coaches have done such a good job all year. They have worked their butts off all year to get to this point.”
An interception by Damien John set up Lower Lake’s first touchdown, Ryder Steffen hauling in a pass and Ismael Orozco converting the conversion kick for an 8-0 Trojans lead, which was the halftime score.
Willits closed to 8-6 by the end of the third quarter. Lower Lake added to its lead early in the fourth quarter on a Roy Percoats run. Willits answered with a score of its own but came up short on the conversion, leaving the Trojans in front 14-12.
After a final Willits drive ended on downs, the Trojans were able to kneel on the ball to run out the clock.
Michael Garner also intercepted a pass for Lower Lake. He finished with three solo tackles as did John.
“The defensive line did a great job of putting pressure on Willits all night,” Garner said. “Our defense really played well this week.”
Garner also praised the play of his offense.
“The offense battled hard all game,” Garner said. “Our line did great and our backs and receivers fought hard all night. It was a great team effort.”
