Trojans just miss upsetting undefeated Bulldogs team in final home game
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LOWER LAKE >> Lower Lake’s pee wee youth football team nearly pulled off the upset Saturday against Napa, handing the undefeated Bulldogs their first non-win of the 2025 season as the two teams ended up tied 13-13 in Mendo-Lake Empire Junior Football League action at Lower Lake.
Lower Lake (4-1-2) took a 13-0 lead into the second half before Napa (6-0-1) rallied to tie it with touchdowns in the third and fourth quarters, the latter score coming on a punt return.
The Trojans jumped on top 7-0 in the first quarter, a 45-yard pass from Vinnie Steffens to Sebastian James setting up a 19-yard touchdown run by Wyatt Hooten, with Waylon Estep throwing the key block on the play. Steffens scored on the conversion run.
A 31-yard touchdown run by Erian Gonzalez in the second quarter pushed Lower Lake’s lead to 13-0.
“My defense showed up and made it a struggle for Napa to make a play,” head coach Daniel Hooten said. “They were very frustrated. Our offense was moving the ball through the air and on the ground.”
Hooten rushed for a team-best 61 yards while Gonzalez finished with 45 yards. Steffens went 3-for-5 passing for 86 yards and ran for another 22 yards. James caught two passes for 74 yards.
Maxxwell Wilkins had a big game on defense for the Trojans with three solo tackles, two sacks and two fumble recoveries. William Villa Jr. led the team with five solo tackles, James had four solo tackles, Camari Onwuasoeze had three solo tackles and Damian Menjivar had two solo tackles and one sack.
It was the final home game of the season for the Trojans, who play their final three regular-season games on the road – at Sonoma, at Northshore and at Middletown.
