Photos by Ray Hamill/HumboldtSports.com – The McKinleyville Panthers are our Team of the Week.

By Ray Hamill — Two different athletes from two different schools stepped up for their respective teams when they needed it the most over the weekend, and that makes them our athletes of the week, an award sponsored by College of the Redwoods Athletics.

In fotball, St. Bernard’s senior quarterback Drew Sisemore enjoyed a career day in Oklahoma, accounting for seven of his team’s nine TDs in a 61-40 win at Guymon High School.

Sisemore has been consistently good for the Crusaders over the past two seasons, but he played at a different level on Saturday, and that augurs well for St. Bernard’s as we head toward the business end of the season.

Another athlete who has lifted her game this season is Eureka sophomore Lorena Hernandes.

The young forward netted twice in a 3-2 win over McKinleyville in girls soccer, including scoring the game winner with just a couple of minutes remaining.

Hernandes was the catalyst as the Loggers faced — and overcame — adversity for the first time this season.

Our team of the week, meanwhile, goes to the Little 4 leaders in football.

The McKinleyville Panthers enjoyed a statement 18-14 win over the Hoopa Warriors to take over sole possession of top spot in the standings.

There’s still a long way to go in league play for the Panthers, including a trip to Hoopa, but they took a big step toward a league championship with the win.

ATHLETES OF THE WEEK

Drew Sisemore

St. Bernard’s Football, Senior

Sisemore threw for six TDs and ran in for another as the Crusaders enjoyed their best offensive outing of the season on a successful trip to Oklahoma.

The senior QB and his offense are peaking at an opportune time with four tough upcoming games, including three straight in league play.

If Saturday is any indication, then Sisemore and his teammates should be well up for the challenge.

For more on his big weekend, see Sisemore, Crusaders explode for 61 points in Oklahoma …

Lorena Hernandes

Eureka Soccer, Sophomore

Good teams find a way to win close games, and the Loggers did exactly that on Saturday, with Hernandes instrumental in the outcome.

The standout sophomore broke a late 2-2 tie with her second goal of the game after earlier scoring off of a corner kick.

“Lorena’s only a sophomore but she’s becoming one of the most dynamic and skilled and consistent strikers in league,” Eureka head coach Tommy Learmouth said.

For more on Hernandes and the Eureka girls, see League-leading Loggers need late goal to edge the Panthers …

TEAM OF THE WEEK

McKinleyville Football

They were many people’s underdog coming into league play, but thanks in large part to their defense the McKinleyville Panthers are now the frontrunners in the Little 4.

A tough pre-league schedule had the Panthers riding a three-game losing streak coming into league play, but head coach Fel Barlow and his players never lost focus or belief and they have now won two straight in the L4.

For more on their big weekend, see Stellar defense lifts the 12-percenters to statement win …