Cardinals (11-0) defeat Napa 30-0, will face Lower Lake (10-1) for championship
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LAKEPORT >> The Westshore varsity youth football team picked up in the semifinals of the Mendo-Lake Empire Junior Football League playoffs right where it left off during the regular season, routing Napa 30-0 in semifinal-round action Saturday night at Clear Lake High School in Lakeport.
The Cardinals (11-0) advance to the championship game next Saturday against the Lower Lake Trojans (10-1), who lost 24-0 to Westshore during week five of the regular season in late September.
“Our kids came out fired up for this game, especially after watching the pee wee and the JV teams battle their way into the championship,” Westshore head coach Sid Percaccio said. “They dominated on both sides of the ball. It’s been a few years since this group has played for a championship and they definitely worked for it this year. All of our focus is now on Lower Lake.”
The Cardinals made quick work of the Bulldogs (6-5) for a second time this season. After the Westshore defense forced a three-and-out to open the game, Pops Horne connected with Nathan Heath on a 31-yard pass that set up a 40-yard touchdown run by Jayvon Evans. Isiah McCloud’s conversion kick made it 8-0.
McCloud’s interception and 34-yard return set up the Cardinals’ next score, an 11-yard touchdown run by John Pasalo. McCloud’s conversion kick pushed the lead to 16-0.
An exchange of interceptions later in the game – first by Napa and then by Westshore’s Luke Percaccio – put the ball back in the Cardinals’ hands with only 10 seconds left before halftime. Horne took advantage by hooking up with Nathan Heath on a 54-yard touchdown pass. McCloud’s conversion kick made it 24-0.
Westshore received the second-half kickoff and quickly moved the ball down the field on a pair of passes from Horne to Pasalo. The drive ended with a 6-yard touchdown run by Landyn Collins, making it 30-0. The mercy rule came into play at that point.
Horne went 6-for-9 for 189 yards and two touchdowns while Heath had three receptions for 100 yards and a TD. Pasalo finished with 56 yards rushing and a TD and 49 yards receiving.
Dillon Egan and Isaac Patino anchored the defense with five solo tackles apiece.
