Photos by Ray Hamill/HumboldtSports.com – The Crusaders and Warriors in action last weekend.

By Ray Hamill — So who is the best football team on the North Coast at the midway point of the regular season?

After last weekend, it’s difficult to say with much certainty, with all four Big 4 teams playing each other tough and sending a statement that this year’s conference will be a battle.

Arcata, meanwhile, continues to impress and will be tough to stop in the Little 4, although McKinleyville is also poised to challenge for the conference crown, and a victory for the Panthers against the Tigers on Friday would be a major statement win.

Also on Friday night, Fortuna plays at Del Norte, while on Saturday St. Bernard’s travels to Eureka, Ferndale hosts Hoopa and South Fork plays Anderson Valley in Miranda.

POWER RANKINGS

1 — Del Norte (3-1)

The Warriors look like they’re the best team on the North Coast, but not by much.

2 — Fortuna (4-1)

Another win this weekend would catapult the Huskies to top spot.

3T — St. Bernard’s (2-3)

The Crusaders impressed in last week’s loss to Del Norte and could easily have won that game but for a few plays here or there.

3T — Eureka (1-3)

The Loggers have been right there in two of their three losses and could easily be 3-1 right now.

5 — Arcata (3-2)

The Tigers offense is playing at an elite level.