WILLITS — When the Willits defense packed the box, Middletown passed the ball. When the Wolverines backed off, the Mustangs ran the ball.

And when it was over Friday night at Maize Field in Willits, Middletown emerged with a hard-fought 24-14 victory over the Wolverines. While improving to 3-1 in the North Central League I varsity football standings, Middletown also climbed over .500 for the first time this season at 4-3 overall.

Middletown's Caleb Sternberg catches his first touchdown pass against Willits in the first quarter Friday night in Willits. (Photos courtesy of Joshua DeLawrence)

"It was a good win for us against a good, physical Willits team," Middletown head coach Bill Foltmer said.

Middletown quarterback Luke Hoogendoorn made all four of his completions count, according to Foltmer. Two of them went to Caleb Sternberg for touchdowns — 20 yards in the first quarter to give the Mustangs a 7-0 lead, and 64 yards in the third quarter to snap a 7-7 tie and put Middletown ahead to stay at 14-7.

"Luke Hoogendoorn was right on the mark," Foltmer said. "He had a good game."

Tight end Brody Breeden also had two catches, one on third down and the other on fourth down. Both receptions extended Middletown drives and eventually led to Mustang scores — a 3-yard run by Elijah Diaz in the second quarter to make it 21-7 and a 25-yard Breeden field goal in the third quarter for a 24-7 advantage.

Middletown's Caleb Sternberg got behind the Willits defense to score a 64-yard touchdown late in the first quarter to put the Mustangs up 14-7.

"Those were big plays," Foltmer said of the Hoogendoorn-to-Breeden hookups.

Willits' defense brought it safeties up to defend the run early in the game, which allowed Sternberg to get behind them and into the clear on both of his touchdowns.

"And he got behind them by like 10 yards," Foltmer said.

When Willits' safeties backed off to defend the pass, Middletown pounded away with running backs Diaz (20 carries for 66 yards) and Jacob Urbina (11 carries for 45 yards).

Middletown had only one penalty (a 5-yarder) and no turnovers.

Middletown's defense waits for the snap of the ball.

"We've done a very good job with that," Foltmer said of limiting mistakes.

Both of Willits' touchdowns came on Christian Powers runs, including a 55-yarder in the first quarter that briefly tied the game at 7-all. He scored again on a 4-yard in the fourth quarter.

Middletown's defense came up with three sacks – one each by Nathan Corsetti, Jacob Perry and Bryan Riel.

The Mustangs return home next Friday to play Cloverdale (2-2, 4-2), a 72-0 winner over Kelseyville on Friday in Cloverdale.