Kelseyville scores early in road contest, improves to 4-3 on season with win
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WILLITS >> Ryker Vanderwall returned a fumble for a touchdown while Austin Aiken rushed for another score as the Kelseyville pee wee football team beat Willits 14-0 in Mendo-Lake Empire Junior Football League action Saturday in Willits.
Kelseyville improved to 4-3 with the win.
“These boys are showing a lot of heart and determination,” Kelseyville head coach Joe Aiken said. “We just need to keep focused and keep working.”
The Chiefs wasted no time taking the lead. On just the second play of the game, Eagle Feather Pasalo sacked the Willits quarterback, prying the ball loose in the process. Vanderwall scooped it up and covered the seven yards to the end zone for the touchdown. Aiken ran in the extra point to make it 7-0.
Kelseyville added to its lead later in the game on an Aiken run and Leo Woita’s conversion run. Aiken finished with 66 rushing yards and Woita added another 23.
The Chiefs’ defense was led by six tackles apiece from Aiken and Vanderwall, four tackles each from Pasalo and Bryce Fontana, two and a half tackles from Josiah Wilson and two tackles and a sack from Jace McLoud.
“We knew defensively they were going to pound the outside with sweep and a lot of motion,” Aiken said. “We prepared for it, and the defense did their job.”
Kelseyville travels to the Mendocino County coast to play Fort Bragg (2-4-1) next Saturday.
“It’s another big game for us and we just need to stay disciplined and do our job on both sides of the ball,” Aiken said.
