Mustangs deal KHS beatdown

35-0 win included recordtying effort by Nico Barrio

LAYH JOUNTY >> What had been one of Lake County’s best matchups in varsity football the previous three seasons turned into a lopsided affair nearly a year ago today when the visiting Middletown Mustangs ran through the Kelseyville Knights for an easy North Central League I victory.

Until the COVID-19- delayed 2020-21 sports season starts in December, the Lake County Record-Bee will take a look back at the high school happenings of a year ago and the teams and athletes who were making the headlines.

Football

Two teams that had squared off a total of six times the previous three seasons (once in the regular season and again in the North Coast Section playoffs) met in Kelseyville although the Knights were at a serious disadvantage with two of their better players, Robert Chavez and Brandon Garcia, out of the lineup while nursing injuries. Not unexpectedly, Middletown rolled to a 35- 0 victory, avenging a 28- 0 league loss to Kelseyville during the 2018 regular season.

Among the many standout performances for the Mustangs was a school-record-tying effort by running back/defensive back Nico Barrio, a senior, who intercepted three passes to tie the school mark held by former Mustangs standout Paul Silva. Barrio also scored two touchdowns — one rushing, one receiving — as Middletown improved to 2- 0 in league action and 3-2 overall.

Middletown’s defense also limited Kelseyville to 90 yards of total offense, including only 26 in the first half.

The Knights dropped to 0-2 in league and 1- 4 overall in what would be an injured-filled season for coach Erick Larsen’s squad. Middletown went on to win another NCL I title under head coach Bill Foltmer. The Mustangs’ season finally ended with a loss to eventual section and state champion St. Bernard’s of Eureka in the playoffs.