Middletown’s season ends with 22-18 NorCal loss to Redding Christian
By Brian Sumpter
Lake County Sports on Facebook
MIDDLETOWN >> The Middletown Mustangs wanted one more game. They didn’t get it, but you can’t fault the effort. If anything, fault Redding Christian. The Lions earned their 22-18 win on Friday night.
During an 11-win season that produced the school’s fifth section title in football and put more butts in the Bill Foltmer Field bleachers come playoff time since the 2010 campaign, head coach Kurtis Woodard’s first-year Middletown squad came within a turnover or two and an extra-point conversion or two of playing for a state title in Southern California this weekend.
Maybe next year, and that’s more of a reality than you think given where the Mustangs stand personnel-wise. They have their entire line back and some key skill people such as sophomores Tyler Galamay and John Finney. A lot of things will have to break right for the Mustangs next season just as they did this year, but it’s entirely within the realm of possibility as long as the veterans and newcomers continue to work hard in the offseason. My daughter’s cross country coach at UC Davis used to tell his runners that by the time you reach your actual season, your level of success has been determined by the hard work you put in (or don’t put in) during the offseason. Something to keep in mind.
Middletown is the second Lake County football team to play 15 weeks into the season. Clear Lake did in 2022, finishing 12-2, and Middletown is the second, going 11-3 this year. The bar has been set high by these two teams. Who will be the first to reach Week 16?
Following is a look back at Middletown’s final game against Redding Christian in the Northern California Division 7-AA championship game:
Statistics
Rushing – Tyler Galamay rushed for 106 yards, including a 61-yard touchdown, capping a standout sophomore season. Trenton Griffith, in his final high school game covering a 3 ½-year varsity career, finished with 53 yards and a touchdown.
Passing – Senior quarterback Blake Costlow, finishing off a career year, went 4-for-11 for 154 yards, a touchdown and two interceptions.
Receiving – Senior wide receiver Hayden Xavier made both of his receptions count with 131 yards and a touchdown, including an 88-yard TD late in the fourth quarter.
Special teams
Solid returns – Both Trenton Griffith (second quarter) and Tyler Galamay (third quarter) returned kickoffs to midfield, unfortunately the Mustangs couldn’t take advantage of either.
Missed field goal – Redding Christian took the opening kickoff and marched down the field before missing wide right on a 32-yard field goal.
Defense
3-0 – Redding Christian had three takeaways to Middletown’s zero.
Setting the tone – The Lions’ defense stopped Middletown’s first possession of the game on downs, stuffing a fourth-and-one run from the Redding Christian 39-yard line.
Secondary success – Redding Christian’s secondary effectively neutralized Middletown standout wide receiving Jon Hawkins, who had just one catch for 13 yards, that in the second quarter. The Lions intercepted a pass in the end zone in the final seconds of the second quarter as Middletown appeared ready to erase a 16-12 Redding Christian lead, and the Lions had another interception in the fourth quarter with the Mustangs on the move.
Miscellaneous
Quick strikes – As they have all season, Middletown’s quick-strike success continued in the NorCal championship game. Tyler Galamay scored on a 61-yard in the first quarter to cut the Lions’ lead to 8-6. Blake Costlow’s pass to Hayden Xavier with 3:28 left in the fourth quarter, an 88-yard touchdown, reduced the Lions’ lead to 22-18.
0-for-3 vs. 2-for-3 – Middletown conversion runs after all three of its scores were stopped short of the goal line. Redding Christian conversion runs after its first two touchdowns were both successful.
Your 2026 NCL I heavy favorite – Middletown.
All-County team – It’s in the works. Unlike the All-League team, it will be by position.
Big thanks – To Geri Costlow for sending me photos of Middletown football all season, and to Bob Minenna for his freelance work.
It’s complicated – The relationship Middletown varsity basketball coach Jake Diehl had with the Mustangs’ extended run in the football playoffs. Don’t get me wrong, Diehl was pulling for Middletown to win a state title even if it deprived him of some of his top talent on the hardwood, but he’ll probably be in a much better mood this week with a full compliment.
Good luck Lions – Pulling for Redding Christian to get its first state title.
Basketball season – Yeah, it’s here, in full force. Nothing but tournaments as far as the eye can see this week.
All-County volleyball – Thanks to Clay Shannon for hosting us again at the Shannon Ranch Sunday in Clearlake Oaks. Couldn’t ask for a prettier venue. Get ready for a big dose of All-County volleyball photos courtesy of Lindsey Hamner.
A road well-traveled – Highway 101 south from Cloverdale to Canyon Road, Highway 128 east through the Alexander Valley and Knights Valley, left onto Tubbs Lane, left onto Highway 29 to Middletown.
That was a fun fall season – Kelseyville volleyball, Middletown football.
1,000-point hunt – Clear Lake’s Faith McIntire and Zane McAuley well on their way along with Kelseyville’s AJ Wurm. Stay tuned.
First pin goes to … — Lake County Sports has a new pin that will be awarded to most valuable players on all of the All-County teams. Kelseyville sophomore Riley Hanson received the first for being named MVP on the All-County volleyball team. The next one goes to Middletown High School sports manager extraordinaire Jack Barker, a collector of any and all pins awarded by Lake County Sports.
Streaks – Middletown’s seven-game winning streak came to an end Friday night. The Mustangs went more than two months without a loss.
How to reach me – Send your basketball and wrestling results to briansumptermail@gmail.com if you want to see them online. If you don’t report, you don’t get.
42 seasons for me – 2025 was my 42nd season of covering Lake County football: 39 for the Lake County Record-Bee as its sports editor, the last three as a retired dude for Lake County Sports. Can’t guarantee a 43rd, but it was fun. Overall, about 46 years of covering high school football of some sort if I include my time as the Healdsburg Tribune sports editor and intern for the Press Democrat.
