Photos by Ray Hamill/HumboldtSports.com

By Ray Hamill — Team defense set the tone for Ferndale on Saturday afternoon, as the Wildcats eased their way into an NCS championship game with a dominating 35-7 win over Willits at Coach Carlson Field.

The No. 2 seeds in the Division-7 bracket never looked in danger of losing this one to the No. 3 seeds, opening up a three-TD lead before halftime, which was more than enough for their stellar defense.

In particular, the Cats contained star Willits running back Jacob Arms, holding the visitors without any big plays, which was a focus all week at practice.

“I was just really pleased with our defensive play,” Ferndale head coach Clint McClurg said. “(Arms) got in the end zone from 10 or 15 yards out but we didn’t give up the monster play he’s accustomed to.”

The Cats also came away with three takeaways, an interception each by Landon Gomes and Javier Lopez and a fumble recovery by Colson Renner.

Once again, the Cats set the tone in the trenches, dictating the game with their relentless ground attack, while playing disciplined and physical defense.

Gomes lead the way in the offensive backfield, but the Wildcats ground game has featured a number of standouts this season, a tribute to the play of the line.

On Saturday, Rex Rolf stepped up, scoring  twice in the second half, both on runs,  including one he broke for 50 yards.

“Rex Rolf has got phenomenal first-step quickness,” McClurg said. “They gave him a little hole and he was gone.”

Rolf had a big game on both sides of the ball, showing his versatility on defense and playing both linebacker and safety.

“He had a great week of practice,” the head coach said of the senior. “And he was in great position to make plays.”

Lane Branstetter got the scoring under way late in the first quarter, finding the end zone on a three-yard run up the middle.

Penalties and indiscipline didn’t help matters for the Wolverines early on, and the home team stretched the lead to 14 on their next possession when Gomes connected with tight end Tristen Martin on a 10-yard TD pass.

The play came on a wildcat formation, with the ball snapped directly to Gomes, a case of the Wildcats and the wildcat.

Martin has been a consistent threat at tight end all season.

“Tristen Martin definitely has been an extension of the offensive line, but at the same time he’s athletic too and he has some big catches for us,” McClurg said.

Gomes made it a three-touchdown advantage on an 11-yard TD run late in the first half, a play set up on Renner’s fumble recovery just as the Wolverines were beginning to move the ball with their passing game.

For good measure Renner also had a key reception on the scoring drive.

Quarterback Jenner Christiansen also had another big game for the Cats, as he continues to mature at the position.