Photos by Ray Hamill/HumboldtSports.com – Arcata’s Nina Crossen in action during the NCS semifinal at Fortuna last week.
It was a big weekend on the local soccer front with two of the Humboldt-Del Norte League teams clinching a North Coast Section title.
In boys action, Fortuna won its second Division-I crown in three years, a remarkable achievement for a team with just four returning players this season.
The Huskies were led at the back all season by senior captain Jackson Fairbanks, who closed out his high school career with a couple of big performances, earning him Humboldt Sports athlete of the week honors.
On the girls side, Arcata may have lost to a high-flying Eureka team in their Division-I decider, but the Tigers closed out the season with a big week, reaching the title game against the odds.
Senior Nina Crossen was outstanding in both the semifinal and championship games, earning her athlete of the week honors as well.
Team of the week honors go to the Ferndale Mustangs who clinched the Six Rivers Youth Football AAA championship with a hard-fought win over McKinleyville.
ATHLETES OF THE WEEK
Jackson Fairbanks (12) was a towering presence at the back for the NCS champs all season.
Jackson Fairbanks
Fortuna Soccer, Senior
Fairbanks has been arguably the most consistent performer in the H-DNL all season, and was outstanding once again in the championship game, leading from the back as the Huskies twice battled from behind on the way to winning the NCS title in overtime.
Fairbanks was one of just four players back this year for the Huskies, and set the tone as they quickly adapted on the way to a dominating season.
For more on Fairbanks’ big week, see Fortuna boys ‘show a lot of heart’ in NCS win …
Nina Crossen
Arcata Soccer, Senior
Crossen capped a standout season with a couple of very strong performances in the NCS playoffs last week, as the Tigers upset No. 2 seed Fortuna in the semifinal, before falling to the Loggers in Saturday’s championship game.
Crossen was instrumental in Arcata reaching the championship game, helping the Tigers grow as a team through the season and peak at the right time, while closing out her high school career in style .
For more on Crossen’s big week, see Tigers win big showdown at Husky Field …
TEAM OF THE WEEK
Ferndale AAA Football
Congratulations to the Ferndale Mustangs who are the 2018 Six Rivers Youth Football Conference AAA champions after defeating McKinleyville 19-16 in Sunday’s championship game at the Redwood Bowl.
More impressively, the Ferndale players had to rally from an early two-touchdown deficit to pull out the win, displaying what head coach Jim Cook described as a lot of character in doing so.
To cap it all, Ferndale closed out the season a perfect 9-0.
For more on the big win, see Ferndale, Del Norte Gold, Eureka all win youth football titles …
Categories: Arcata, Athletes of the Week, Football, Fortuna, Soccer
So with Hsu football program now gone does that mean audios to all the other community groups and organizations that want to play football at the stadium?
Do the football goal post come down?
Yes, the college President is taking them with her when she leaves. A well earned parting gift!!!!
Joia Mae Simpson
August 9, 1999-November 1, 2018
Joia left this world too early, in a tragic accident in the early morning of November 1st. Born at home, Joia was a bubbly, energetic child who touched people with her bright spirit. A mischievous sprite as a young being, Joia could bend the world to her will with a smile and giggle. She loved to run, play with dolls, and had a favorite stuffed monkey named Chocolate Peanut. She began playing sports at a young age, demonstrating exceptional speed, agility and coordination. Soccer and basketball were her favorite sports. She played on many youth sports teams and made many lasting friends through these experiences. She played on the Mad River Under 10 soccer team that won the 2009 Association Cup State Championship, a significant accomplishment for a team from Humboldt County.
Travelling sports teams provided many opportunities for family and team bonding, and allowed her to visit just about every shopping mall in the north state. Many trophies and medals were earned during Joia’s youth athletic career. As Joia matured, her interests shifted away from team sports; she danced, cheered and golfed while at Arcata High. Joia took pride in how she presented herself to the world, loved fashion, and was a sharp dresser. She was a charter member of the selfie generation. She was a loyal friend, with a kind and caring heart.
Joia was fiercely independent and confident. She knew what she wanted, and she knew how to get it. She held her people accountable and taught us what it means to be present. Persuasion may have been her greatest skill. She was emphatic that she would follow in her siblings’ footsteps, spread her wings, and go to college far from home. She chose the University of St. Thomas, in St. Paul, Minnesota, which was a perfect environment for her — warm, loving, supportive. Joia will be dearly missed by her family, friends, and community.
Rest in peace, Joia Bean.
Joia is survived by her parents, Gary Simpson and Janette Wilson, brother Wylan and sister Autumn; Great Grandmother Edith Wilson and Grandparents Richard and Karen Wilson. Joia was blessed with a large loving family that includes aunts, uncles, and cousins (second aunts, second uncles and second cousins), who reside in Bayside, Dallas, Philadelphia, Gridley, IL, Oceanside, Santa Fe, Orinda, Hilo, Poway and Olympia. A Celebration of Life for Joia will be held at the Bayside Grange and Community Hall on Friday, November 16 at 3 p.m. All are welcome. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Joia Simpson Scholarship Fund ~ Umpqua Bank, Arcata, CA.
No media please.