40-6 win over Esparto in season opener is Upper Lake’s first victory in almost two years
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ESPARTO >> The Upper Lake High School varsity football team is back in the win column and first-year head coach John Toohey couldn’t be happier.
“The kids were over the moon about it,” Toohey said Friday night after watching the Cougars work over Esparto 40-6 in the season opener for both of these varsity football teams at Esparto. “It’s a nice way to see their commitment is worth something.”
The win snapped a 14-game losing streak dating back to early October of 2024.
“We played a really clean game other than one penalty that was reminiscent of last season,” Toohey said. “Other than that, we were respectful and clean football players.”
Jordan Reyes led a productive Upper Lake running game with 112 yards on 12 carries and two touchdowns. The Cougars rushed for 285 yards as a team, including a 60-yard touchdown run by Antario Wyman and 47 yards on only four carries from Luke Green. Brody Blancas added another 37 yards as well as a touchdown and a pair of two-point conversions.
Quarterback Corbyn Woolley also had a solid opener, completing seven of eight passes for 65 yards and a touchdown and running for another score. Gage Faalelea had two catches for 40 yards, including a touchdown.
Upper Lake had 19 first downs.
While Upper Lake’s offense had a big night, so did the defense, according to Toohey.
“The defense set the tone early with short fields off turnovers, and we were able to jump out to a 32-6 lead by halftime,” Toohey said.
Travis McCutcheon anchored the Upper Lake defense with six solo tackles, two assists, one sack and one fumble recovery. Faalelea finished with five solo tackles and an assist, and Isaac Caballero had three tackles and one sack.
“Hopefully we can keep this positive energy the rest of the way,” Toohey said of the win. “We’ve got a lot more tougher opponents on the horizon.”
The Cougars have a bye next week before opening their North Central League I interlock schedule Sept. 11 at Cloverdale.
