Ray Hamill/HumboldtSports.com – Allen Kane is one of three Hoopa players who will likely see some time at quarterback this fall.

By Ray Hamill — An intriguing three-way battle is brewing for the starting quarterback spot on this year’s Hoopa football team, and all three players are likely to see some game time as the Warriors get set for their season opener next week.

Senior Lyle McKinnon, who was an all-league selection in both basketball and baseball last year and a finalist for the Humboldt Sports Little 4 Boys Athlete of the Year, returns to the program this fall and has been immediately impressing his coaches at quarterback.

So too have juniors Allen Kane and Carlos Anzora, each of whom move up to the varsity roster this fall after impressive seasons on the Little 4-winning JV team in 2023.

And that has new head coach Curtis Kane excited about the upcoming season.

“My guys are working hard,” he said. “And I’m looking forward to seeing how that hard work pays off.”

All three quarterbacks bring something different to the position and all of them could see some time under center when the Warriors kick off their 2024 campaign at home against St. Bernard’s in a Rare Thursday night showdown on Aug. 29.

McKinnon has wasted no time impressing his coaches on his return to the football team. 

“He’s got a really good arm and he’s someone you have to account for,” Curtis Kane said of the talented multi-sport standout. 

Allen Kane, who is the head coach’s son, and Anzora are both effective ball carriers and give their coaches a dynamic dual-threat at the position.

Allen Kane will likely will lineup at running back in a loaded offensive backfield when he’s not playing QB and he played a pivotal role last year in leading the Hoopa JVs to a co-championship in the Little 4.

Anzora also impressed on that championship-winning team and carried much of the load at quarterback when young Kane was injured last fall.

“He’s always been fighting for a starting spot (at QB),” Curtis Kane said of Anzora. “He’s a hard kid to bring down.”

The head coach added there was no clearcut starter at the position heading into preseason practice this week.

But the three quarterbacks are far from the only standouts on this year’s roster, as the Warriors look to start fast and build some momentum before conference play begins at Ferndale in early October.

“Since spring training they’ve been working hard at practice and really impressing me,” he said. “We’ve been throwing the ball a lot and my quarterbacks are doing really well.

“My guys are working hard, and I’m looking forward to seeing how that hard work pays off.”

The talented Brandon Romero is also expected to have a big impact with the team this fall.

According to his head coach, Romero is “working very hard perfecting his craft and will be among the top receivers in the county.”

Junior Quincy McDonald, meanwhile, has made the move to center and is expected to lead the offensive line.

“He has put so much work into getting better in every aspect of the game,” Curtis Kane added of McDonald.

Last year was a disappointing one for the Hoopa varsity, which finished up 3-7, including a 2-4 record in the Little 4.

However, the success fo the 2023 JVs augurs well for this year’s varsity team, with several talented players moving up to varsity

The head coach admits he was a little concerned about his crop of linemen earlier in the summer, but that is no longer the case with nine quality players now ready to help carry that load.

That group includes the selfless Trystan Billings and Ian McConnell, each of whom have made the switch to the line after playing running back in 2023.

“They made the move for the team and they haven’t complained at all,” the head coach said.

A loaded offensive backfield includes fullbacks Donald Hostler and Nathan Edwards, who will see time there along with Allen Kane and Anzora when they’re not lining up under center.

The Warriors also should have plenty of depth at receiver, with nine players the head coach says he feels comfortable with at the position.

“It’ll be a case of pick you poison,” Curtis Kane said. “We have different rotations and plenty of depth in the receiving corps, and now that my linemen are coming together, they’re all working well together.

“I’m really excited for this team.”

After opening against St. Bernard’s, the Warriors will also play pre-conference games against Etna (home, Sept. 6), South Fork (away, Sept. 13) and Trinity (away, Sept. 20).

They open conference play at Ferndale on Oct. 5.