Photos by Ray Hamill/HumboldtSports.com – The 2023 Eureka Loggers challenged for a league title all the way to the week of action.

By Ray Hamill — The Eureka Loggers will welcome a new head coach for boys soccer this year as they look to end a long championship drought.

Former Eureka girls coach Tommy Learmouth, who enjoyed tremendous success in that role in recent years, takes over the boys team from Eddie Garcia, whose squad challenged for the conference title all the way until the final week in 2023.

And Learmouth believes he’s taking over a very healthy program that should contend once again this fall.

“This team can compete for a league title and make some noise in the (North Coast Section) playoffs,” Learmouth said. “It’s a good group of guys and they’re hungry for it. They’re excited for it and they’re making sure everything is done (before the season) so there are no issues.”

In addition to their preparation, this is also a group of players that approaches the game the right way and respects the game and their opponents, something Garcia instilled in them during his time charge.

“Coach Eddie is a fantastic coach,” Learmouth said. “I’m impressed with the boys (the way they play the game). That’s something you don’t always see, but that’s the culture Eddie left behind, and it’s made the transition easier.”

The Loggers held tryouts early this week and Learmouth hopes to have his roster finalized on Wednesday, as they start to build some momentum ahead of their first action of the season at the annual McKinleyville tournament over Labor Day weekend.

Team captain Will Mooney is back this fall as he looks to close out his high school career with a bang in his senior campaign.

And Learmouth expects him to help lead the way.

“He’s our engine,” the new head coach said. “He’s the guy who comes up clutch in the big moment and I’m looking for a big season from him.”

There certainly is no lack of options for the new coach, with several outstanding sophomores coming back after impressive breakout seasons a year ago, including the likes of Kyan Green, Luis Gonzales and Levi Grossman.

But they will have their hands full competing for a title in a league that was extremely competitive last year, with defending champion Del Norte and an always dangerous Fortuna program expected to be in the mix once again in 2024.

Likewise with a proud Arcata program, as the Tigers look to challenge for the championship again.

“I expect a very competitive league,” Learmouth said. “With the boys, there’s always a surprise somewhere. There’s always three or four games where you say ‘oh, that result actually happened,’ and that speaks of the quality of the league. We have some great players and great coaches (in the H-DNL).”

Garcia’s assistant coach Omar Martinez is back this year to help Learmouth on the sidelines, along with former standout Eureka goalkeeper Skylar Carroll.

“He’s got a pretty good rapport with the boys,” Learmouith said of Martinez. “I’m very excited to have him back, and I’m excited to have Skylar (on the staff).”

Learmouth also expects his players to hit the ground running and be ready to go at the first team practice this week.

“This is a team that has been playing a lot together over the last 10 months,” he said. “They’re hungry.”

The Loggers have not won a league title since 2008.