MIDDLETOWN — When the Middletown Mustangs needed to put together a scoring drive trailing 3-0 to the Cloverdale Eagles late in the fourth quarter Friday night at Bill Foltmer Field, that's exactly what they did.

"Our kids did what they had to do," Middletown head coach Bill Foltmer said of a game-winning touchdown with 1:36 remaining in this North Central League I varsity football contest, a 23-yard pass from quarterback Luke Hoogendoorn to tight end Brody Breeden that lifted the Mustangs to a dramatic 6-3 victory. "I'm really proud of them."

A 35-yard Cloverdale field goal in the third quarter appeared as though it might stand up in a game where both teams went on long and time-consuming drives that produced almost nothing. Goal-line stands and turnovers by both sides kept the game scoreless for more than two and a half quarters.

"I was very impressed with Cloverdale," Foltmer said. "Most of their big plays came between the tackles and that doesn't happen to us very often."

Cloverdale (2-3 league, 4-3 overall) finished with 231 yards of total offense to Middletown's 159.

"My guys bent but didn't break," Foltmer said of the Middletown defense. "We gave us some yards but we didn't let them in (to the end zone)."

After Breeden's touchdown catch put Middletown (4-1, 5-3) in front, Cloverdale had just enough time left to move the ball into field goal range in the final seconds. The Eagles originally lined up for a 37-yarder on third down but the snap from center was not good and the holder alertly fell on the ball, bringing up fourth down and a longer try from 42 yards.

"I can see why they went for it," Foltmer said of the Eagles. "The 35-yarder he kicked was good by 10 or 15 yards, it had plenty of leg."

The 42-yard attempt to tie the game and force both teams into overtime never had a chance, according to Foltmer.

"It was well short, I don't think the ball made it to the goal line," Foltmer said.

Middletown's lone touchdown drive was greatly aided by a 15-yard pass interference penalty on the Eagles.

"We put together a nice drive, about 65 yards," Foltmer said. "That last drive was different and you could see it in our kids' eyes. They really wanted it."

Cloverdale (2-3 league, 4-3 overall) was coming off a 72-0 win at home a week earlier against Kelseyville.

"They're for real," Foltmer said of the Eagles.

Elijah Diaz had 96 yards on 19 carries for the Mustangs. Hoogendoorn went 2-for-4 for 31 yards, both completions to Breeden.

Middletown visits Kelseyville (1-3, 1-6) next Friday. Cloverdale was scheduled to host Lower Lake in NCL I action next Friday but the Trojans won't be able to play that game as members of their team are in COVID-19 protocol. Instead, the Eagles will host Montgomery High School of Santa Rosa in a non-league game.