LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Here’s a rundown of prep football games involving Lake County teams and other teams of interest this weekend.

Middletown (0-1) at Upper Lake (1-0), Saturday, noon/2 p.m.: Upper Lake, a 52-6 winner over Kelseyville last week, faces a Mustang team that gave up plenty of yards to Salesian (including 252 from running back Micahel Page) but only one touchdown in a 7-3 loss. The Pride  gave away three fumbles, which helped Middletown stay close.

On Saturday that diminutive Mustang defense tries to contain the Cougars’ formidable running game, which features halfback Ward Beecher (11 carries, 123 yards, 3 TDs against Kelseyville), fullback Joey Valdez (10 carries, 91 yards, 2 TDs) and quarterback Travis Coleman (7 carries, 65 yards, TD), who rely on their big offensive line anchored by two-way all-leaguer John Karlsson.

Senior Jeremy Martin, who last played football on the Pop Warner level, made his high school debut last week by returning the opening kickoff 85 yards for a touchdown and also returned punts and played in the defensive secondary.  

Middletown, which has some quickness, has more balance on offense than run-happy Upper Lake, and  quarterback Ben Pike (13 for 23, 88 yards, 1 interception) could shoulder more responsibility if the Mustangs can’t get their running game going.

Tyler Drew led MHS rushers against Salesian with 59 yards in 9 carries. He also kicked the 22-yard field that gave Middletown a 3-0 lead at the half.

Prediction: Upper Lake 33, Middletown 24.
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Stellar Prep (1-1) at Clear Lake (0-1), Friday, 5:30/7:30 p.m. In the  27-21 loss at Durham last week, the Cardinals gained some redemption by demonstrating the ability to play with a solid Div. III team.

Running back Luke Punzalan broke loose for 163 yards in 19 carries and the CL defense showed promise, shutting down Durham’s offense except for a couple of busted plays.

Josh Larsen shines on the Cardinal line. The mostly sophomore Stellar Prep  club has some good athletes, including a QB with  a strong arm and  two big linemen who will try to inflict their will on the smaller Cards.

Prediction: Clear Lake 33, Stellar Prep 27.

Kelseyville (0-1) at Swett (1-1), 5:30 p.m.: The Knights  can win this one if they show up ready to play and avoid those costly turnovers. A good showing will help them forget last week’s sloppy opener against Upper Lake.

Prediction: Kelseyville 20, John Swett 13.
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Arcata (1-1) at Lower Lake  (0-1), 5:30/7:30 p.m. The Trojans played with Hoopa Valley for nearly a half, thanks mostly to Jared Thompson, who had a 50-yard kick return and finished with 85 yards in 11 carries. Arcata isn’t as good as Hoopa, which beat the Trojans, 41-14, but they’re still 10 points better than Lower Lake.

Prediction: Arcata 24, Lower Lake 14.

Willits (1-0) at Ukiah (0-1): Willits wins a defensive battle.

Prediction: Willits 13, Ukiah 6.

Prediction record: Last week: 6-0. Season: 6-0.

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