Cloverdale will host Willits on Friday in Homecoming Game
The varsity football Eagles did what they do best on a Friday, Oct. 9 visit to Kelseyville, running roughshod over the host Knights in a hard-nosed 21-6 win.
The Eagles churned up over 300 yards rushing in a ferocious ground attack, effectively controlling the line of scrimmage and clock to record their fifth victory of the campaign.
When the dust cleared, the collective effort of his charges drew praise from the head coach.
“It was our best game of the season as far as limiting mistakes, and playing well on offense, defense and special teams,” Eagles coach Chad Prieskorn said. “We played at a high intensity level for four quarters.”
Cloverdale (5-1, 2-1) will now turn its attention to the next task at hand – a Friday, Oct. 16 Homecoming date with visiting Willits.
After starting the season with four wins, the Wolverines (4-2, 0-2) are coming off two straight losses to start the league schedule, including a 32-20 setback to Clear Lake last week.
Despite their recent tumble, the Eagles expect Willits to present a stiff challenge on Friday.
“Willits will be similar to Kelseyville; big, physical and tough,” Prieskorn predicted. “They’re having a good season so far and we’ll have to play even better this Friday if we want to win.”
Friday’s win over Kelseyville was one for old school football aficionados, as the teams waged a physical battle in the trenches.
The Eagles emerged from a low-scoring first quarter with a 7-6 lead when all-purpose back Adrian Bernardi hauled in an eight-yard touchdown grab from quarterback Chris Harms.
Cloverdale padded the cushion in the second quarter on the first of two rushing touchdowns from All-League running back Luke Bernardi, as the Eagles went to the halftime locker room up 14-6.
The Cloverdale defensive unit, led by senior linebacker Mason Meier, continued to throttle the Kelseyville offense in the third quarter, allowing the Eagles to eat up precious clock on the ground.
The Eagles effectively iced the contest in the third period with another touchdown burst from Luke Bernardi to make it a two-possession game, and the defense took it from there in a scoreless fourth quarter as Cloverdale powered to a 21-6 win.
“Kelseyville was a big, physical team and it was a battle for four quarters,” Prieskorn noted. “There were some impressive (individual) stats but they’re a result of everyone doing their job.”
Bernardi continued his quest to re-write the Cloverdale High record books in amassing over 200 yards rushing in the game with two touchdowns, much of it a testament to a great effort by the offensive line.
Adrian Bernardi finished with two receptions and a touchdown, while kicker Pat Ojeda was perfect on all three of his PAT boots.
Meier turned in arguably his best defensive performance of the season, leading the team with 15 tackles, a forced fumble, and one fumble recovery.
Ojeda added a key block on a Kelseyville field goal attempt.
