Photos by Roger Schultz/Hot Shots Sports Photography – Del Norte head coach Nick White and Levi Cox Cooley react during last weekend’s regional playoff win.

By Ray Hamill — The Del Norte defense has not backed down from a variety of challenges this season, and it’s likely to face another tough one this weekend.

On Saturday night, the Warriors will host El Monte at Mike Whalen Field in Crescent City in the 5-AA state championship football game.

It’s the first-ever appearance in a state bowl game for the Warriors, who will be hoping to cap a memorable season with a first-ever state title.

To do so, a stellar defense will have to stop the No. 2 rushing attack in the entire state and the No. 1 running back.

“It’s no secret they run the ball,” Del Norte head coach Nick White said in an interview with Humboldt Sports Talk Podcast earlier this week. “They pass less than we do.”

As you would expect in a state championship game, White’s defense will be tested, with senior running back Davin Booth rushing for almost 200 yards a game and scoring 44 total touchdowns this season.

Photos by Roger Schultz/Hot Shots Sports Photography – Del Norte running back Levi Cox Cooley in action last weekend.

He leads the state with 2,722 yards on the ground, including 315 yards and three touchdowns in last weekend’s regional playoff win.

He is expected to finish in the top 10 nationally.

“They’re big up front, they’re physical. it will be one of our hardest challenges all year,” White added in the interview. “We just have to be disciplined.”

You can check out the full interview here, as White breaks down his team’s historic playoff run and looks forward to Saturday night’s showdown in Crescent City.

For game details, broadcast schedules and information on tickets, check out Everything you need to know about the game …

For lots more photos from last weekend’s game and Del Norte’s season, check out Roger Schultz’s website here Hot Shots Sports Photography.