Home victory Friday night would send Middletown to section finals
By Brian Sumpter
Lake County Sports on Facebook
LAKE COUNTY >> The last time a Middletown High School football team won its first two playoff games it went on to win the North Coast Section championship. That was in 2018.
What you may not remember about that 2018 season is that NCS teams had to make a hard choice — either compete for a section title or bypass the sectional playoffs and apply for a berth directly into the state playoffs, a decision made necessary because of wildfires burning throughout California. One of those blazes was the devastating Camp Fire in Paradise. Fires and the smoke they created played havoc with postseason schedules up and down the state, forcing teams to choose which way they would go.
Middletown opted to go the section route, and it turned out well as the Mustangs won four straight playoff games, the final three on the road, to earn the school’s fourth NCS championship and first since 2001. Unfortunately, they did not have the opportunity to compete for a state title, which they were well equipped to win.
The 2025 Mustangs, fresh off a 36-7 victory over Archie Williams High School on Friday in the opening round of the North Coast Section Division 7 championships, shoot for a second straight playoff victory at home this Friday against a Division 5 Concord team that was moved down into Division 7 for the postseason – so was the Vallejo team that Concord beat 36-24 in another first-round game last weekend.
If Middletown survives Concord, the Mustangs will draw the winner of Friday’s other semifinal matching Willits (9-2) at Piedmont (7-4), two teams the Mustangs have already beaten this season.
The last Lake County team to reach the section finals was Clear Lake in 2022, and the Cardinals won perhaps the greatest championship game in section history, defeating St. Vincent 56-55 after scoring a touchdown and two-point conversion in the final seconds at Rancho Cotate High School in Rohnert Park. St. Vincent has not lost in the postseason since, winning state titles in 2023 and 2024, and beating Analy in a Division 5 first-round game Saturday. Clear Lake advanced to the NorCal championship game and lost on the road to eventual state champion Orland, which went 15-0 that season.
The road is similarily open for Middletown to do some incredible things as the final weeks of the 2025 season approach.
Here’s a look back at some of the highlights and lowlights of Week 12 of the high school football season:
Statistics
Rushing – Middletown sophomore Tyler Galamay rushed for 129 yards and two touchdowns while teammate Trenton Griffith, a senior, finished with 122 yards and a TD against Archie Williams. Both running backs broke long touchdown runs – Griffith motored 55 yards in the first quarter and Galamay 53 yards in the third quarter.
Passing – The Mustangs were able to effectively keep the Archie Williams defense guessing run or pass as Middletown quarterback Blake Costlow went 5-for-9 for 91 yards and two touchdowns.
Receiving – John Finney’s only catch was a big one as he hauled in a 38-yard touchdown in the first quarter – on a third-and-23 play — as Middletown jumped out to a 16-0 lead. Jon Hawkins had two receptions for 33 yards, including a touchdown and two-point conversion. Trenton Griffith’s lone catch, a 23-yard gain, was plucked from between two Archie Williams defenders and helped set up a Middletown touchdown four plays later.
Special teams
Three out of five – Middletown went for two points on all of its conversion and made the first three – Griffith run, Galamay run and Costlow pass to Hawkins.
Ready for it – Archie Williams went for an onside kick on the second-half kickoff and the Mustangs were ready. Henry Ames fell on the ball. Middletown scored on the very next play – Galamay’s 53-yard run – to put the game out of reach at 30-7.
Defense
Not many – Archie Williams received the opening kickoff and went three-and-out, which touched off a bit of excitement on Middletown’s sideline. “We haven’t had many of those,” head coach Kurtis Woodard said.
Interceptions – John Finney and junior varsity call-up Estaban Muniz picked off passes for the Mustangs. Tyler Galamay’s fumble recovery near midfield in the first quarter eventually led to a Middletown touchdown and 16-0 lead.
Sacks – Middletown dropped Archie Williams quarterback Ronan Foley for a pair of sacks.
One score – Middletown’s defense has allowed no more than eight points in each of its last five games.
Miscellaneous
Take that! – Facing a second-and-goal from the Middletown 8-yard line early in the fourth quarter, Archie Williams quarterback Ronan Foley had trouble handling the snap from center because of the wet conditions, resulting in a loss. Ronan was so frustrated that he threw the ball at a Middletown player once the play ended, drawing a 15-yard penalty. The drive ended a short time later when Esteban Muniz intercepted a pass.
Lots of flags – Both teams drew their fair share of penalties – Middletown 10 for 108 yards and Archie Williams 12 for 110.
Didn’t get his 15 yards worth – After recovering a fumble late in the fourth quarter, a Middletown player put the nose of the ball on the turf and attempted to spin it. Not only did the ball not spin, but he drew a 15-yard unsportsmanlike-conduct penalty for his overexuberance.
Step to the right – A quick step to the right at the last second kept this Lake County Sports guy from getting bowled over by an Archie Williams ballcarrier with two Middletown defenders in two while videoing the play Friday night. Got the video!
Streaks – Middletown has won five in a row.
Volleyball kudos – To Kelseyville High School after a 4-2 postseason run, including a third-place section finish.
Soccer kudos – To Middletown for its runner-up finish in North Coast Section Division 2.
She’s still got it – Middletown alum Mia Hoogendoorn drains a 3-pointer in the final seconds to lift College of the Redwoods to a 60-59 over Santa Ana.
A win’s a win – The original report on the North Coast Section website Friday night had Concord beating Vallejo 10-0. It was later revised to 36-24.
College honors – Cora Holley (Middletown), Jayden Paulich (Kelseyville) and Cali Schnabl (Kelseyville) of the Mendocino College women’s volleyball team all received first-team Bay Valley Conference honors while teammate Makayla Mace (Middletown) received second-team honors. The Eagles won’t know until Tuesday whether or not they have qualified for postseason play after tying Yuba College for second place in the final BVC standings. Another Kelseyville alum earning volleyball honors was Olivia Hommer (Kelseyville), named to the Golden West Conference second team.
All-County team – The 2025 All-County volleyball team, to be featured early next month, includes a most valuable player, six first-team players and eight second-team players. All receive medals while the MVP also gets a crystal plaque. Lake County Sports uses results of All-League voting and input from county coaches to select the team members.
Thanks – Thanks to Geri Costlow and Bob Minenna for the Middletown-Archie Williams game photos and to other Middletown parents/fans for their video submissions. Also thanks to freelance photographer Duv Cardenas for her Escalon-Kelseyville NorCal quarterfinal-round match photos, which can be found on MaxPreps.
Yep, basketball season is here – The Middletown girls teams officially open the 2025-26 season Monday night against Rancho Cotate in Rohnert Park.
New pin – Lake County Sports is adding a new pin to its collection. The All-County MVP pin will be awarded to most valuable players on all the All-County teams (football, volleyball, boys and girls basketball, baseball and softball). If soccer, cross country and wrestling coaches want to join the party, Lake County sports needs to hear from you during the season. Of the 10 varsity soccer coaches in the county, only two reported every game (Kelseyville). Two others were sometime reporters, the others sporadic or no reports. It’s up to you.
Good luck to the 1,000-point pursuers – Clear Lake’s Zane McAuley and Faith McIntire, and Kelseyville’s AJ Wurm are all chasing career point No. 1,000 this season. Good luck!
