Chiefs win sixth straight, secure berth in league playoffs
Lake County Sports on Facebook
KELSEYVILLE >> Winning their sixth straight game and locking up a playoff spot in the process, the Kelseyville Chiefs shut out the Middletown Colts 7-0 Saturday during a pee wee game in the Mendo-Lake Junior Empire Football League at Kelseyville.
“It has been a long time since the pee wee level has been in the playoffs,” Kelseyville head coach Joe Aiken said. “As a first-year coach my goals were to be better than last year, be a .500 team, and make the playoffs.”
The Chiefs (6-3) have now accomplished all of those goals, according to Aiken.
Austin Aiken led the way on offense with 88 yards rushing, a touchdown and a conversion run. His score was set up Jace McLoud’s 38-yard fumble return.
“It was a battle,” Aiken said. “We knew Middletown (2-3-4) was going to come in and be a tough game. Their defense was solid in the first half.”
Aiken and Ryker Vanderwall each had four tackles and three assists to anchor the Kelseyville defense. McLoud had three tackles, three assists and the 38-yard fumble return. Eagle Feather Pasalo added three tackles, one assist, and one sack. Leo Woita, Andrew Denham, Navarro Pruitt and Josiah Wilson also played well, according to Aiken.
“Our defense came to play,” Aiken said. “We gave up a few yards early in the game, but when we needed the big defensive plays they showed up.”
Aiken forced a fumble in the first half to stop Middletown, and the Chiefs halted the Colts with a goal-line stand later in the game. McLoud’s fumble return turned out to be the defensive play of the game.
Kelseyville closes out its regular-season schedule at home Saturday against Westshore (8-1) at 3:30 p.m.
“As always they will be tough,” Aiken said. “Looks like it might be a rain game, so you never know what might happen. I am beyond proud of this group. They have developed so much this season.”
