Knights, Trojans trade punches for first three quarters
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ORLAND >> The Kelseyville Knights traded punches with Orland for the better part of three quarters Friday night in Orland, but the Trojans pulled away for a 44-21 victory in a non-league varsity football battle.
Orland (2-0) scored 22 unanswered points after Kelseyville closed to 22-21 on a 7-yard pass from quarterback Brock Barrick to wide received Reme Strong with 2:53 remaining in the third quarter. Kelseyville missed what would have been a game-tying extra-point kick.
Whatever momentum the Knights had at that point was gone seconds later as Orland returned the ensuing kickoff for a touchdown and a 29-21 lead. The Trojans just missed a touchdown on a kickoff return earlier in the game, a long return setting up another quick score.
Kelseyville (1-1) was driving for a touchdown early in the fourth quarter before the drive stalled on downs at the Orland 25-yard line. The Trojans marched 75 yards for a back-breaking touchdown with seven minutes to go and added the two-point conversion run to go up 37-21.
An interception gave Orland a short field and set up the team’s final touchdown with four minutes remaining.
Most of the first three quarters were a back-and-forth affair. After a scoreless first quarter, Orland moved out to a 7-0 lead with 6:34 remaining in the first half but the Knights answered with a 68-yard drive capped by a Kyle Watkins 3-yard run and go-ahead two-point conversion pass from Barrick to Strong. That made it 8-7 in the Knights’ favor.
Orland nearly returned the second-half kickoff for a touchdown, the ball spotted inside the Kelseyville 1 and scored moments later to go up 14-8. Adam Astrup’s kickoff return to near midfield set up a two-play Knights possession, one that ended on Barrick’s 50-yard touchdown pass to Michael DeJohn. Jose Juarez kicked the extra point to make it 15-14 in Kelseyville’s favor.
Once again, the Trojans took advantage of the Knights on special teams, returning a kickoff to their own 45. From there, Orland mounted a short drive capped by a 34-yard run. The two-point conversion run made it 22-15.
Orland kept the ball on the ground nearly the entire game, attempting just two passes (one completion), and mixing up carries between a trio of talented running backs in Isaac Velasquez, Manny Rodriguez and Luke Schager.
Kelseyville finished with just 74 rushing yards, most of those by Watkins (14 carries for 44 yards), who left the game as a precaution early in the third quarter with a sore neck, the result of a pair of helmet-to-helmet hits. He is expected to return for the Knights’ North Central League I opener this coming Friday against Fort Bragg at Don Owens Stadium in Lakeport.
Barrick picked up some of that slack through the air, going 15-for-22 for 260 yards and two TDs. Strong was his favorite target with seven catches for 105 yards. Tight end Jayden Teabo also saw plenty of action with 84 yards on four catches.
DeJohn anchored the Kelseyville defense with two solo tackles and seven assists. Other leaders were Watkins, Teabo and Michael Dougherty, each with two solo tackles and five assists, Daniel Anderson with four solo tackles and three assists, Adrian Garcia with one solo tackle and four assists, and River Calhoun with seven assists.
Junior varsity
Orland beat Kelseyville 30-0 in junior varsity action, dropping the Knights to 1-1 on the season.
The Trojans’ defense limited Kelseyville on minus-rushing yardage. Quarterback Kimo Brown went 5-for-17 for 86 yards, Aiden Smith catching two passes for 53 yards.
Deake Lyndall’s nine solo tackles and eight assists led the Knights on defense. Angel Ruiz had four solo tackles and five assists while Smith had three solo tackles and five assists. Gordon Astrup blocked an extra-point attempt.
