Honkers have happy Homecoming

The Willows High football team crowned its royalty and celebrated victory at home Friday, beating the Trinity Wolves 49-21.

Willows had a busy night both offensively and defensively, and the hitting began immediately when Willows' Connor Smith delivered a punishing tackle of the Trinity ball carrier on the opening kick-off.

After the Wolves went three-and-out, the Honkers' Alex Alves gave Willows excellent field position when he returned the punt 30 yards.

The short field paid off when quarterback Justin Fortunato connected with Alves on a 15-yard scoring pass, making it 6-0 Willows.

The Willows defense got in on the scoring action in the second quarter when Trevor Candelaria blind-sided Trinity quarterback Austin Weinzinger, causing him to cough up the ball. Candelaria scooped the ball up and rumbled 60 yards into the end-zone to the cheering of the excited Willows' side.

Later in the second quarter, Ryan Welsh found himself on the receiving end of a 15-yard scoring toss from Fortunato. The PAT was good.

Trinity scored on a 55-yard pass to Andrew Berry and touchdown carries by Berry and Erik Watson, making the halftime score 30-21 Willows.

The Honkers other scoring came on a pair of rushing TD's by Drake Matteson, a 24-yard scoring scamper by Steve Vang on his only carry, and another touchdown by Alves.

Willows ran the ball 31 times for 271 yards, led by Welsh's 5-for-103 and Matteson's 95 yards in 15 attempts.

Steven Johnson rushed nine times for 57 yards.

Fortunato completed 3-for-7 passes for 104 yards and two touchdowns. He was intercepted once.

Jacob Candelaria was in on 11 tackles, Kyle Wycoff helped out with 10, Welsh and Matteson supplied nine each.

Willows (5-1, 2-0 Sacramento Valley League) hosts Durham (4-1, 2-0 SVL) Friday.

CONTACT Emily Saint-Evens at 824-7990 or esaintevens@tcnpress.com.