Ray Hamill/HumboldtSports.com – Fortuna’s Titus Young is congratulated by teammates after returning an interception 76 yards for a TD in the first quarter of Friday’s game.

By Ray Hamill — The Huskies had to battle all the way on Friday, but they got the new football season off to a winning start with a 27-20 victory over visiting Justin-Siena at Fortuna.

All in all, it was an impressive showing for the home team.

Despite missing a handful of players because of COVID protocols and coughing the ball up a little too easily at times, the Huskies dug deep when they had to and ultimately won with some impressive defense and a relentless running game.

“We had some kids that couldn’t play because of COVID issues, but you know what, the kids stepped up,” head coach Mike Benbow said. “I’m super proud of our team. They played hard every play, they never stopped and they stuck together.”

The visiting Braves moved the ball effectively early on, in part with the help of some Fortuna penalties, but the Huskies defense stood firm when it had to and opened the scoring on a 76-yard pick six by Titus Young four minutes in.

The big play set the tone for the Huskies defense, which came up big on the Braves’ following drive, coming away with the ball on downs deep in their own territory.

Breck Bishop was a force on both sides of the ball for the home team, recording several tackles for a loss and also contributing as one of numerous effective ball carriers.

“All facets played pretty darn well for a first game,” Benbow said of his team. “We’ve still got a lot of things to clean up, and we will.”

In addition to Bishop, who finished with 66 yards on 12 carries, Logan Miranda and Matt Letter both impressed running the ball, as did quarterback Coltyn Corning.

Letter led the way on the ground with 82 yards on 20 carries, while Corning added 64 yards on 14 carries.

In total, the Huskies ran for 231 on 51 carries.

“That’s going to be the Huskies this year,” Benbow said. “We’ve got a solid group of kids running the ball.”

Miranda stretched the lead to 13-0 with a three-yard scoring run late in the second quarter, before the visitors answered on the following play from scrimmage when speedy tailback Caden Parlett broke through for a 65-yard TD run.

The Huskies, however, quickly restored a two-touchdown advantage on a 10-play drive that culminated in Corning running into the end zone from two yards out in the final minute of the half.

Parlett scored a second TD on a 46-yard run late in the third quarter to pull his team back within touching distance, before Miranda added a second TD himself, breaking several tackles on a 25-yard scoring reception from Corning early in the fourth.

The Braves continued to battle, scoring a third touchdown to make for an exciting finish, but the Huskies held on late for the victory.

“Justin-Siena is pretty darn good,” said Benbow, who described Parlett as something special. “We were glad to escape with a win.”

Corning completed 6-of-12 passes for 98 yards, with Miranda pulling in two catches for 41 yards, to go with 19 yards rushing.

Will May also had a big night receiving, finishing with three receptions for 40 yards, while Jake Houseworth also had a big catch for 17 yards.

The Huskies won the JV matchup, 36-0.

Lawrence Renner led the way for the JVs with 74 yards rushing and a TD, while Caden Wilkensen had 69 yards rushing and a TD, and Chad Mussey 60 yards and two TDs.