Cardinals defeat Napa 13-6, avenge only loss during regular season
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CLOVERDALE >> Vincent Rave rushed for 149 yards and two touchdowns as the pee wee Westshore Cardinals avenged their lone loss of the regular season, beating Napa 13-6 to claim the Mendo-Lake Empire Junior Football League championship Saturday at Cloverdale High School.
“Our boys came out hungry for this win,” Westshore head coach Vince Rave said. “They wanted it.”
Westshore (11-1) grabbed a 7-0 lead on the first of Rave’s two touchdown runs and a conversion pass from Josh King to Noah Freeman. Napa (10-1-1) answered with a touchdown but failed on the conversion attempt.
The Cardinals gained some much-needed breathing room on Rave’s second score, a 50-yard run, in the third quarter, a touchdown made possible by blocks from Elius Mendoza and Obie Knight.
“Elius Mendoza had some strong runs,” Rave said. “Mendoza and Knight had some great blocks to open some huge holes for our backs.”
While Westshore’s offense was able to get the job done, so was the team’s defense.
“Our boys rallied to the ball and made some great group tackles,” Rave said. “We were able to contain their quarterback and running back, stopping them a couple of times on fourth downs.”
Freeman’s interception with 40 seconds left in the game sealed the victory.
Rave led the team with six total tackles while Mendoza, Josh King and Cesar Gonzalez had three apiece. Rave also cited strong play from Blake Sage, Hayes Eagle and Asher McNabb.
In addition to his extra-point pass, King completed a 20-yard pass later in the game.
“Our boys showed up and played great football together,” Rave said. “They played as a unit and played clean. We didn’t have one penalty this game.”
Added Rave, “It was exciting to see all their hard work pay off. These boys have worked every practice with max effort and great attitudes. This group is awesome. They were always great teammates to each other.
“Our group of coaches couldn’t be prouder to be a part of this team. They represented our community well.”
