Hoopa made it two straight wins in football with a big offensive showing against visiting McKinleyville on Friday night, opening the Little 4 with a 40-27 victory.

And they needed it against a Panthers team that put up some offense themselves.

Hoopa quarterback John Smith returned to the lineup after missing the past couple of games through injury, and that was a big difference in the game.

“He kept us off balance,” McKinleyville head coach Keoki Burbank said of Smith, who has matured as a quarterback this season and is making smart decisions with the ball. “Getting him back was definitely a big boost for them.”

Smith passed for five touchdown passes, two each to Jasper Hostler and Tristin Campbell, as well as one to Carlos Aguilar.

Sam Jones also ran for a 30-yard TD.

According to head coach Sonny Ryles, however, all of that was thanks to a dominant performance from the Hoopa O-line of David Ruiz, Trayce Crutchfield, Tommy Kelley, Joseph Lewis and Wayne McCovey.

“All of those (touchdowns) wouldn’t have been possible without the offensive line,” Ryles said.

The win lifts the Warriors to 2-2 on the season while the Panthers dropped to 1-4.

Caleb Martinez ran for three touchdowns for the visitors, behind a strong showing by the offensive line, as the Panthers moved the ball better than they have in some time.

“Against a competitive team, that was the best our offense has played in the last three years,” Burbank said. “We did some good things.”

So too did Mack defensive end Kaden Redner, who had his best game of the season and finished with three sacks.

Freddie Sundberg also ran in for a touchdown for McKinleyville.