Varsity squad handles Cloverdale 36-2 in road win, improves to 3-0 on season
Lake County Sports on Facebook
CLOVERDALE >> Three games and three wins for the Westshore varsity youth football team, its latest victory coming Saturday against the Cloverdale Chargers, 36-2, during Mendo-Lake Empire Junior Football League action in Cloverdale.
The first half was a battle of defenses, the only score coming on Westshore’s second possession, a 55-yard touchdown run by John Pasalo in the first quarter. The Cardinals kicked on the conversion for an 8-0 lead.
Pasalo’s interception, a ball tipped by teammate Pops Horne, and 75-yard return for a touchdown in the third quarter allowed the Cardinals (3-0) to lengthen their lead.
Pasalo scored his third touchdown of the game, this time on a 52-yard run, on the second play of the fourth quarter. The Cardinals forced a punt and scored again, four straight runs by Landyn Collins producing another touchdown. Collins intercepted a pass on Cloverdale’s next possession.
The Cloverdale turnover led to another Westshore score as a 31-yard run by Paxton Villanueva set up a 1-yard touchdown run by Horne.
Cloverdale’s only points came on a safety in the third quarter.
“Cloverdale played us much better than what the scoreboard showed,” Westshore head coach Sid Percaccio said. “We were just able to make some big plays when we had the opportunities. They are a tough group of kids, but my kids showed up big in the second half and never let off of the gas.”
Pasalo finished with 180 yards rushing on only 10 carries. Collins had 69 yards on seven carries.
Villanueva anchored the Westshore defense with seven solo tackles followed by Dylan Egan with six and Jake Hayes and Isaac Patino with five apiece.
“It was a hard-earned game, and we could not have done it without our five linemen up front,” Percaccio said.
Westshore hosts Willits (1-2) this coming Saturday at 7:30 p.m. Action begins with the pee game at 3:30 p.m. followed by the junior varsity contest at 5:30 p.m.
