TOMALES 44, CALISTOGA 6: GUERRERO, FELICIANO A DYNAMIC DUO: RUNNING BACKS BREAK LONG GAINS, COMBINE FOR 245 OF BRAVES'294 YARDS ON GROUND

For wing backs, Tomales' ball carriers run through more than take flight around tackles as the Braves' pair did in Friday's 44-6 win over host Calistoga.

Michael Guerrero pounded for the big first-half runs and two scores on the same right-side gap play on third downs. Anthony Feliciano plowed through the Wildcats line for a pair of long gains in the third quarter and the second of his touchdowns.

Working behind a young offensive line, the tandem -- back from last year's section runner-up campaign -- combine size and speed to again make Tomales one of the Empire's top small school powers.

"He's the big boy and I'm a little bit of both," Guerrero said. "We've just got to let the plays set up and hit the holes."

So sure is Tomales of its running game that the Braves always go for two-point conversions after touchdowns and aren't afraid to go for it on fourth down rather than punt.

Calistoga set its defense to stop the run, but Tomales was bigger and determined to keep moving the ball. A pair of fourth-down stops kept the Wildcats from an even greater loss.

"For the most part we've played well defensively. We tell the guys to wrap up and wait for help," said Calistoga coach Paul Harrell. "But Tomales is very difficult."

While the Tomales offense was piling up 294 yards on the ground -- Feliciano ran for 145 and Guerrero for 100 -- the Braves defense limited Calistoga to three first downs on the night.

Anchoring the defensive line are Marcos Gonzales and Juan Avalos. All-Empire linebacker Justin Kehoe leads a linebacker corps that limits big plays.

The teams came into the contest seeking another measuring stick on how they will compete this season in the new NCL II. Calistoga fell to St. Vincent 33-14 in the league opener. Tomales tied Upper Lake 8-8 last week.

Familiar foes from the former NCL I, both Tomales and Calistoga joined St. Vincent and Upper Lake to form the new NCL II for Division V schools on the North Coast. Small schools from the region in Division IV make up the NCL I.

The goal was to create more competitive matchups throughout the season. One result is league teams play one another home and away. "You really get to know your opponent," Tomales coach Leon Feliciano said.

Calistoga learned again Friday that Tomales is loaded and will be difficult to stop.