In a battle of undefeated teams, Trojans’ defense comes up big
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FORT BRAGG >> In a battle of undefeated teams, the pee wee Lower Lake Trojans handed the Fort Bragg Cubs their first loss of the season, 18-6, during Mendo-Lake Empire Junior Football League play Saturday in Fort Bragg.
Camari Onwuasoeze Jr. rushed for one score and returned a punt 45 yards for another touchdown as the Trojans improved to 3-0. Fort Bragg fell to 3-1.
Erian Gonzalez rushed for a team-leading 75 yards and a touchdown.
“Fort Bragg is a great team, and they definitely held their own,” Lower Lake head coach Jamez Conatser said. “We knew coming into this game that we were going to be tested. Our offense wasn’t its normal explosive self, but when we needed points, the kids found a way to put them on the board. Erian continued to produce for us with 75 yards and a touchdown, and Camari found the end zone as well.”
While his offense was able to generate enough points to win it, Conatser said the lion’s share of the credit for the victory goes to his defense.
“They showed up and showed out,” Conatser said. “To hold a team like Fort Bragg to just 14 total yards says a lot about how these kids played. Brayden Walsh was the tip of the spear defensively. I can’t express how proud I am of that kid. He wants so badly to be the kid scoring all the touchdowns on offense, but man, he is a force on defense.”
Walsh finished with four solo tackles, three resulting in losses, and a game-sealing interception with less than a minute remaining.
Edward McTear intercepted another Fort Bragg pass while Cristiano Lopez recovered a Cubs fumble. Brayden Conatser and Draco Benefield added two tackles apiece.
“We were battle tested today, and it was nice to see how the kids responded, especially coming off a two-week bye,” Conatser said. “The first two games showed us what we’re capable of when we’re rolling. This game showed us that when things aren’t coming easy, these kids can fight through it and find a way to win.”
Lower Lake hosts Sonoma on Saturday.
