KELSEYVILLE — Middletown scored touchdowns the first two times it touched the ball Friday night, part of a 28-0 first quarter that powered the Mustangs to a 42-7 win over the Kelseyville Knights in North Central League I varsity football action at Kelseyville.

The victory combined with St. Helena's 40-14 win over Clear Lake on Friday night in St. Helena puts Middletown (5-1 league, 6-3 overall) in a position to earn a share of the league title if it can beat St. Helena on the road next Friday in the league finale for both teams. St. Helena (5-0, 7-1) would clinch the outright championship with a win.

Middletown tight end Brody Breeden is brought down from behind by a pair of Kelseyville defenders. (Photos by Bob Minenna)

"We know Kelseyville did a lot just to put a team on the field this week and we appreciate that," Middletown head coach Bill Foltmer said. "We're going into the final week with a chance to get a piece of the title. We're right where we want to be."

Middletown's first play from scrimmage, a Jacob Urbina 58-yard touchdown run, gave the Mustangs the lead a little more than two minutes into the game. After the Mustangs' Jacob Perry recovered a Kelseyville fumble deep inside Knights territory, Brandon Costlow scored on a 7-yard run to make it 14-0 as Brody Breeden tacked on the extra point.

Middletown's next possession featured all four of quarterback Luke Hoogendoorn's completions on the night, the final one a 10-yard touchdown to Noah Williams for a 21-0 lead. Hunter Hartzog's 20-yard run pushed that advantage to 28-0.

Costlow's second touchdown of the game, a 19-yard run in the second quarter, gave Middletown a 35-0 halftime lead.

Middletown wuarterback Luke Hoogendoorn uses his blocking to complete a pass in the first quarter.

Both teams scored in the third quarter. After Caleb Sternberg's 20-yard run pushed Middletown's lead to 42-0, Sammy Vanoven scored on a 2-yard run for Kelseyville.

Middletown started subbing in reserves in the second quarter.

"We were able to get a lot of kids playing time," Foltmer said.

Kelseyville head coach Erick Larsen said he was impressed with the play of a pair of sophomores Ignacio Montero and JoseCarmen Calvillo.

"They did a really good job on defense (at defensive end)," Larsen said.

Two juniors also stepped it up, according to Larsen.

Kelseyville quarterback Luke Watkins prepares to release a pass as Middletown's Nathan Corsetti closes in.

"Zayne Barker did a good job playing at outside linebacker for the first team. Joey Gentle (cornerback) made a huge jump this week. He made some good stops on Middletown's counters."

Added Larsen, "The JV kids we brought up played their hearts out. "We're excited because these guys are the future of our program."

With several players still in COVID protocol, Larsen said the Knights really didn't have the opportunity to prepare for the Mustangs as much as they would have liked.

On the Friday before Halloween, a couple of Kelseyville fans were dressed for the occasion.

"There's no substitute for real practice," Larsen said. "Against a good team like Middletown you've got to have your stuff dialed in. If you make a mistake against those guys you're going to pay for it."

Making his first start in the Kelseyville backfield, Vanoven gained 57 yards on 13 carries and scored the Knights' lone touchdown. For Middletown, Sternberg led the team with 85 yards on 12 carries. Hoogendoorn went 4-for-5 for 77 yards, splitting his completions between Williams (two catches for 47 yards) and Breeden (two receptions for 30 yards).

Kelseyville quarterback Luke Watkins hands the ball off to Sammy Vanoven.

Kelseyville (1-5, 1-8) closes out league play and its season next Friday in Lower Lake against the Trojans (0-4, 0-6), who have missed their last two games because of COVID-19 quarantine.

"It would be nice to go out on a high note," Larsen said.