Upper Lake knocks off Los Molinos in non-league road game
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LOS MOLINOS >> Nearly a year after their last victory, the Upper Lake Cougars are back in the win column following a 36-26 triumph over the Los Molinos Bulldogs in non-league varsity football action Friday night in Los Molinos.
Although Los Molinos (1-1) got on the scoreboard first to take a 6-0 lead, Upper Lake (1-1) immediately answered with a long scoring run capped by the first of two Delaney Allison touchdown runs on the night, this one from 19 yards out. Quarterback Jerod Rosales added the two-point conversion run for an 8-6 Upper Lake lead.
“We pounded it down the field,” Upper Lake head coach Stan Weiper said. “I was really happy with the way the kids responded after Los Molinos scored first.”
Upper Lake went on to build a 36-20 lead on the strength of a Jonathon Barnes 20-yard touchdown run in the second quarter, scoring runs of 44 yards by Allison and 3 yards by Rosales in the third quarter, and a 35-yard run by Dylan Aragon in the fourth quarter.
“Overall, we made improvement,” Weiper said in assessing the Cougars’ overall effort since a season-opening 28-8 road loss to Terra Linda last week. “Los Molinos was maybe not NCL I quality, but they’re a decent team. It was a nice win for the kids and I’m pretty happy with their play.”
Allison (14 carries for 119 yards), Aragon (nine for 87) and Barnes (17 for 80) all ran the ball well, according to Weiper. Rosales added 63 yards through the air, completing 5 of 10 passes with no interceptions.
Barnes moved into the offensive line to address a need during the game while Aragon took over for him in the backfield.
“He (Aragon) ran the ball very well,” Weiper said. “I was real happy with him.”
Upper Lake’s defense also had its moments. Barnes led the way with 11 unassisted tackles while Billy Stillman had seven solo tackles and one assist. Frankie Kavanauch recovered a fumble to go along with five solo tackles and one assist.
“Maybe this will give the guys some added enthusiasm,” Weiper said of the team’s first win of the season, which matches the Cougars’ total number of victories from a year ago.
Upper Lake returns home next Friday to play Clear Lake in the North Central League I opener for both teams.
Junior varsity
Upper Lake’s junior varsity squad ran its record to 2-0 with a 22-8 win over Los Molinos.
Luke Green scored on pass, Gage Faleagafulu scored on a punt return, and Brody Blancas scored on a run for the Cougars.
Upper Lake’s defense picked off two Los Molinos passes.
