Photos by Ray Hamill/HumboldtSports.com – Arcata’s Shane Purcell

By Ray Hamill — When you throw for eight touchdowns in a league-opening win, you get the nod for one of Humboldt Sports Athletes of the Week honors, sponsored by College of the Redwoods Athletics.

And when you catch six TD passes in a league-opening win, you also get the nod for one of our athletes of the week.

And that’s exactly what Arcata seniors Shane Purcell at quarterback and Carson Tucker at receiver managed in a 70-22 win over Ferndale last weekend.

Our girls athlete of the week is Eureka defender Maia Hales, who has been the best defender on the best defensive team in the H-DNL this season and a consistent top performer for her team.

Our team of the week, meanwhile, goes to St. Bernard’s volleyball, which took a big step toward another Little 4 title with a couple of key victories over closest challengers, Hoopa, recently and continues to be the best small schools team on the North Coast.

ATHLETES OF THE WEEK

Shane Purcell and Carson Tucker

Arcata Football, Seniors

Purcell and Tucker have been on fire this season as the Tigers offense has put up some incredible numbers in recent weeks.

Purcell has now thrown for 16 TDs in the past three games, all wins, leading his team to 164 points in that spell, most of them through the air.

Tucker also was unstoppable against Ferndale, finishing with an incredible six TD catches passes in a career performance.

For more on the duo’s big night, see Purcell throws for eight TDs as Tigers pull away in the second half …

Maia Hales

Eureka Soccer, Sophomore

Hales has been the best player on the best defensive unit in the H-DNL all season and has been a consistent rock for her team.

The team has allowed just three goals from open play in the opening nine games of the campaign, fewer than league leaders Arcata, with Hales playing a key role in that remarkable run.

Hales and the Loggers got the better of St. Bernard’s 6-1 on Tuesday.

For more on the game, see Loggers top the Crusaders in boys and girls soccer …

TEAM OF THE WEEK

St. Bernard’s Volleyball

The Crusaders took a big step toward a Little 4 championship with a pair of victories over Hoopa over the past nine days.

With the two wins, the St. Bernard’s girls improved to 6-0 in conference play with just three matches remaining.

Lele Tanuvasa and Maddie Shanahan have both played a major role for head coach Wendy Joyner’s team, while Kodi Meyer has also impressed in conference play, among many others.