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By Ray Hamill — Isaak Gutierrez has been impressing more than just his own coaches this season.

On Saturday afternoon, the former Eureka Logger will close out an outstanding freshman campaign for Butte at the Gridiron Classic Bowl, a fitting way to end what has been a big first season playing college football.

Gutierrez, a true freshman, has had an immediate impact at one of the top community college programs in the state, winning the starting spot at center in the preseason and never looking back.

This week, he was honored by the National NorCal Conference coaches, earning all-conference first-team honors.

The success will come as no surprise to local football fans who have followed the former Logger’s career.

Gutierrez was a dominating force along both lines at Eureka High, helping his team to back-to-back undefeated regular seasons and a trip to the state semifinals as a senior.

He joined a powerhouse Butte program along with Eureka teammates Tyce Mullins and John Foster and Fortuna’s Sheaden Kadle, although he was the only one of the four to make the team, with the other three red-shirting this fall.

Butte closed out the regular season 7-3, finishing second to American River in conference play with a 4-1 record.

Gutierrez and his teammates will play in the Gridiron Classic Bowl at Butte on Saturday, hosting College of the Sequoias (6-4) at noon.