Win sets up undefeated showdown between 4-0 Trojans and 4-0 Westshore Cardinals
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LOWER LAKE >> Rallying from a 14-8 deficit in the fourth quarter, the Lower Lake varsity youth football team beat the Cloverdale Chargers 18-14 in Mendo-Lake Empire Junior Football League action Saturday at Lower Lake.
The victory sets up an undefeated showdown next Saturday in Lakeport between the Trojans (4-0) and Westshore Cardinals (4-0). Kickoff is 7:30 p.m. at Don Owens Stadium.
Lower Lake outscored Cloverdale 10-0 in the fourth quarter, beginning with a safety after forcing the Chargers to attempt a punt from deep in their own territory.
The Trojans got the ball right back on the free kick following the safety and drove down the field, scoring on Michael Garner’s 1-yard run. The two-point conversion kick made it 18-14. With plenty of time left on the clock, the Chargers drove the ball into Lower Lake territory, but the comeback bid ended with a Wyatt Chaelcki interception.
In the first half, Lower Lake scored first, marching 65 yards on its opening possession capped by a Braylen Fanucchi 15-yard touchdown run. The conversion kick was good for a 8-0 Trojans lead.
Cloverdale answered with a 65-yard scoring drive of its own and also made the conversion kick to tie the game 8-8.
The Chargers also opened the second half with a touchdown drive to go up 14-8.
Lower Lake’s defense was led by Damion Giambra, who had four tackles and a forced fumble. Gavin Cheek, Tony Velazquez and Aidynn Pantoja all finished with four tackles. Jaymen Bagsby had an interception.
“Cloverdale is a really good team,” Lower Lake head coach Mark Garner said. “They came to play. It was a great battle all night.”
Garner gave high marks to his defense.
“Our defense came up big at the right times to secure the win for us,” he said. “I was really happy with how they played.”
