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By Ray Hamill — Fortuna multi-sport standout Jake Houseworth announced this week that he will play football at the University of California, Berkeley, after graduation in 2025.
The soon-to-be senior, who was named co-Defensive MVP of the Big 4 in 2023, was heavily recruited by a number of Division-I programs and will play tight end for the Golden Bears.
And that doesn’t surprise Fortuna head coach Mike Benbow, who knew he had a special talent on his hands as soon as Houseworth joined the Huskies.
“This has been an incredible opportunity for Jake to get identified as a Division-I athlete,” Benbow said. “We knew his freshman year he was no ordinary player. More importantly he is a great teammate and leader who has worked hard to be great at what he does.”
According to 247sports.com, the three-star recruit also received offers from Washington State, Fresno State, Idaho and Montana, but choose Cal and will now get to play in the Atlantic Coast Conference.
But Houseworth has worked hard to get to where he is and appears to have a bright future at the collegiate level.
“All of his successes didn’t just happen by chance,” the Fortuna head coach added. “He is that player who puts in the extra time in the weight room, studies the playbook, asks questions and strives to improve after every game.
“His work ethic and positive outlook will serve him well as he ventures into the next level of football.”
Houseworth follows in the footsteps of other H-DNL players who have taken their talents to the D-I level in recent years, including numerous linemen.
Eureka’s Isaak Gutierrez played at the University of New Mexico, while former McKinleyville Panthers Bryce Petersen (Akron and Nevada) and Kyle Spalding (San Diego State) each also made it to the Division-I level over the past decade, as did Eureka’s Jake Hanson, who is currently with the New York Jets after playing collegiately at Oregon.
However, Houseworth is in a class of his own when it comes to Fortuna football.
“Jake is the first Fortuna football player to get recruited by numerous Division-I schools during his junior year in the 30 years I have been coaching,” Benbow said. “He is a great representative not just for Fortuna but for the entire HDN.”
According to Benbow, Houseworth was immediately taken with Cal after talking to the coaches.
And the fact that Cal head coach Justin Wilcox came from a small town as well (Junction City, Oregon) also should benefit the young star.
Ray Hamill/HumboldtSports.com – Jake Houseworth (88) was named co-Defensive MVP of the Big 4 last fall.
“The vibe and coaches were amazing,” the Fortuna head coach said of Cal. “The really cool part is that many of the coaches, including head coach Wilcox, are small town guys. They experienced the same thing that Jake is about to do.”
And the sky is the limit for the 6-foot-4, 225-pound Huskies player, both on and off the field.
“Jake has untapped skills that are going to be exciting to watch develop in his time at Cal,” Benbow said. “Equally important, he will be receiving a top-notch education at Cal Berkeley.”
Of course Houseworth and his teammates still have some unfinished business to take care on the H-DNL fields.
After the Huskies tied both Del Norte and St. Bernard’s for the Big 4 championship last year and posted a North Coast Section playoff win, Houseworth will be hoping to close out his high school career with a bang this coming fall.
“In the meantime, we get to enjoy him during his senior campaign, leading the Huskies on and off the field,” Benbow added.
And Benbow says it has been an honor getting to coach such a gifted and grounded player during his time at Fortuna.
“Being a part of Jake’s football journey over the past four years as his coach has been an honor,” he said. “I couldn’t be prouder of the player, student and friend Jake has been to everyone at Fortuna High School.
“It will be amazing to see him on the field as a Cal Bear, representing our Fortuna Huskies and our community.”
Houseworth and the Huskies will kick off the 2024 high school football season at home against Del Norte on Aug. 30.
This fall will mark the first year the Golden Bears get to play in the ACC after switching from the disbanded Pac-12.
Houseworth also is one of the top high school basketball players in the H-DNL.
