Photos by Ray Hamill/HumboldtSports.com – Eureka head coach Andrew Haraldson talks to his players at practice last week.
By Ray Hamill — The Eureka Loggers will feature a lot of young players this season with eight sophomores on a roster of 30, many of whom will be expected to have an immediate impact with the team.
Including new starting quarterback Hans Chalmers, who moves up to varsity at a young age after an impressive season with the JVs last year.
Because of so many young players, as well as the limited time to prepare for this season, first-year head coach Andrew Haraldson is going to make things as easy as he can for his players.
“We are really young,” said Haraldson, who got to see his players in a scrimmage at Fortuna on Saturday morning. “So we’re going to keep it simple and build as we go.”
The adjustment for Chalmers and the younger players will be made easier behind a talented offensive line that Haraldson describes as “the strength of the team.”
Sophomore Joseph Gonzalez will start at center, alongside junior returning starter Sky Barone at right guard.
On the left side, junior Shyloh Nicholson will start at tackle, alongside junior Carlos Duenas at guard.
At right tackle, sophomore Jamin Guilbert will rotate with senior Matthew Justice.
A third sophomore, Magnum West, will also feature in the trenches at tight end, after breaking into the team as a freshman last year.
West will rotate at tight end with senior Brayden Youkey, who also will see time at defensive end and is one of the team’s most improved players this preseason, contributing with a big play at tight end in Saturday’s scrimmage.
“They’re a really good group of kids,” Haraldson said of this year’s team. “We don’t have any guys acting selfish, out for No. 1. They have a really good attitude. They’re an easy group to be around.”
Haraldson will look to a core group of returning starters to lead the way, including senior Hayden Bode, who will switch to running back this season, when he’s not playing free safety.
“He’s doing some different things for us,” Haraldson said.
Senior Keeb Her is also back and will play both running back and linebacker, while Mengka Vang is back at receiver/cornerback and appears as fired up as anybody this year.
“He’s a really hard hitter,” Haraldson said of Vang. “And he’s a great example of how to be tough.”
Seniors Timothy Lee (RB/CB) and Tim Yang (RB/LB) are each also expected to play a big role for the team this year.
The Loggers will kick off a five-week season at crosstown rivals St. Bernard’s next Saturday and will play all their games on the road because Albee Stadium is not available.
More on Saturday’s scrimmage later this evening.
Eureka Schedule
March 20
Eureka at St. Bernard’s, 1 p.m.
March 26
Eureka at McKinleyville, 7:30 p.m.
April 2
Eureka at Del Norte, 7:30 p.m.
April 10
Eureka at Fortuna B, 7 p.m.
April 16
Eureka at Fortuna, 7:30 p.m.
