Junior varsity Cardinals roll past Fort Bragg to improve to 2-0 on the season
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LAKEPORT >> Even though he wasn’t 100 percent, Westshore’s LJ Hopkins went out and had himself a game Saturday against Fort Bragg, rushing for three touchdowns, catching another and also throwing for a score as the Cardinals rolled to a 32-0 win in Mendo-Lake Junior Football League junior varsity action in Lakeport.
“It was a great way to go into the league bye for Labor Day, especially since the flu bug was going through the team, with several kids missing the game and the bug hitting (LJ) Hopkins and (Layton) Butcher in warmups,” Westshore head coach Jeremy Hopkins said. “We now have two weeks to get healthy and get ready for the long stretch run.”
Onset of the flu or no, LJ Hopkins put together a nice performance. He rushed for 122 yards on five carries with three touchdowns, had a 40-yard TD reception, and went 2-for-2 passing for 65 yards and a TD. He also ran for an extra point.
Brady Liske caught two passes for 65 yards and a touchdown. He also completed a 40-yard pass (to Hopkins for a touchdown) while scoring an extra point.
Butcher and Chance Poland helped anchor the defense, each player finishing with five tackles and a fumble recovery.
Butcher recovered a fumble on Fort Bragg’s first play from scrimmage and Westshore scored on the very next play as Hopkins, under pressure, completed a pass to Liske, who walked into the end zone for a touchdown.
The Cardinals (2-0) scored again on their next possession as Hopkins, after gaining 20 yards for a first down on a second-and-15 play, rambled 33 yards for a touchdown after the Westshore line opened a huge hole.
Hopkins scored again on his next touch, this time on a 40-yard run down the sideline, again aided by the blocking up front of Odin Walker and Noah Cochrane. Hopkins’ third rushing score, a 31-yard run, was set up by a block from teammate Ethan White.
Westshore recovered an onside kick and scored again as Liske hit Hopkins in the right flat. He weaved his way down the field for the touchdown.
The mercy rule went into effect before halftime as the Cardinals held a commanding 32-0 lead (the mercy rule is implemented when a team goes up by 30).
Westshore’s defense limited Fort Bragg’s offense to fewer than 70 total yards led by the play of Butcher, Poland, White, John Franklin and Julian Rascon.
The league takes next Saturday off before returning to action Saturday, Sept. 6. When Westshore plays its first road game at Cloverdale. Starting times are 3:30 p.m. for the pee wees, 5:30 for the junior varsity and 7:30 p.m. for the varsity.
