Lower Lake plays airtight defense while improving to 4-0 in league action
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LOWER LAKE >> Brayden Walsh’s interception return for a touchdown and his three tackles for loss sparked another strong effort by the Lower Lake defense in a 31-0 win over Sonoma during pee wee action Saturday in the Mendo-Lake Empire Youth Football League at Lower Lake.
“Holding a team to a negative-12 yards for an entire game is something these kids should be extremely proud of,” Lower Lake head coach James Conster said. “On Sonoma’s very first offensive play we forced a fumble and Travis Johnson recovered it. That set the tone immediately.”
Added Conaster, “And just like last week, the tip of the spear was Brayden Walsh. He had another great game with three tackles for loss. Last week, he sealed out win over Fort Bragg with an interception in the final minute. This week he did it again, except this time he took the interception back for a touchdown. That score put us up 31-0 early in the third quarter and forced the mercy rule.”
Erian Gonzalez rushed for 88 yards and two touchdowns while Draco Benefield caught one touchdown and ran for another, that from 51 yards out. William Villa Jr. added 56 yards on two carries while Camari Onwuasoeze Jr. passed for a touchdown.
“After coming out a little slow offensively last week, our offense came out on fire this week,” Conatser said. “We scored four times on only 16 offensive plays and found the end zone twice within our first four plays. It was good to see the kids come out with that kind of energy from the start.”
Added Conatser, “Erian continues to be a powerhouse in our running game. One sequence that really stood out came with less than 30 seconds remaining in the first half. He took us 35 yards in three plays and scored as time expired to send us into halftime up 18-0. That’s a kid wanting the football when there’s an opportunity to make something happen.”
The Trojans improved to a league-best 4-0.
Lower Lake hits the road next Saturday to play Northshore in Upper Lake.