Forfeit victory over Clear Lake gives Mustangs 8-0 league mark, 10-0 season
MIDDLETOWN >> Paul Silva was hoping to get one more game in for his Middletown High School junior varsity football team, but the first-year head coach said it’s pretty hard to complain about a 10-0 record.
Middletown’s league and regular-season finale was set to take place Friday evening at home against the Clear Lake Cardinals, but Clear Lake, a team that has been struggling with a low player count all season, forfeited the game because of a lack of players.
The forfeit win, the second of the season for the Mustangs who also received a forfeit in week one against Berean Christian, gives Middletown a perfect 8-0 mark in the North Central League I this season as well as an undefeated year overall.
“Going into my first year as head coach I knew there were going to be holes to fill after losing six sophomore players to the varsity at the beginning of the year,” Silva said. “My kids rose to the challenge and took over those starting roles with confidence and dedication. They did an outstanding job.”
Added Silva, “As the saying goes in football, defense wins championships and this year our defense proved that (again), allowing only 37 points all year long. They forced 19 turnovers that included 10 interceptions and nine fumble recoveries.”
Middletown also sacked the opposing quarterback 15 times and scored three defensive touchdowns.
“This defense ranks among the best I’ve coached in my 10 years here,” Silva said.
Middletown’s offense got the job done, too, rushing for 1,621 yards overall and averaging 9.1 yards a carry with 26 rushing touchdowns. Quarterback Kolton Costlow completed 29 of 40 passes for another 607 yards and seven touchdowns.
“This year’s team didn’t back down or shy away from anything,” Silva said. “Instead, they stepped up, played hard and defeated every team that came their way.
“As a coaching staff, we are incredibly proud of these young men,” Silva added. “They worked hard all year long and now they have earned the title of 2025 NCL I undefeated JV champion.”
