Photos by Ray Hamill/HumboldtSports.com

By Ray Hamill — High school football returned to the North Coast this week and it did not disappoint.

The action got under way on Thursday night with the St. Bernard’s Crusaders traveling to Hoopa and coming away with a comfortable 45-6 win.

On Friday night, the Fortuna Huskies also impressed in their season opener, shutting out Del Norte 22-0 at Husky Field.

And both of those teams feature in our weekly awards this week.

Junior Jahseree Bailey had an outstanding performance in SB’s win, earning him the nod for our athlete of the week.

Bailey finished the game with three sacks, a forced fumble and seven tackles and never allowed the Hoopa offense settle into the game.

“I thought Jahseree was outstanding,” St. Bernard’s head coach Matt Tomlin said.

The Huskies were every bit as impressive and perhaps even more so.

In addition to the Fortuna varsity team’s win, the program’s JVs also shut out the Warriors, winning 19-0.

Adding to the occasion and making it even more special for the home fans, the victory was the 122nd for head coach Mike Benbow, who became the winningest coach in program history.

And that gets Fortuna football the nod for our team of the week.

ATHLETE OF THE WEEK 

Jahseree Bailey

St. Bernard’s Football, Junior

According to Tomlin, Bailey is more focused this year and it showed in Thursday night’s victory.

The outstanding junior looks set for a big year at defensive end and ready to lead the Crusaders in the trenches.

“I am very proud of the effort Jahseree has been putting into practice and we saw it pay off in the game with an outstanding performance,” Tomlin added.

For more on Bailey’s big week, see Bailey Shines as football returns to the North Coast …

TEAM OF THE WEEK 

Fortuna Football

The Huskies came into the season as the No. 1 ranked team in the Humboldt Sports Preseason Power Rankings and they showed why many observers believe they could be the team to beat this year.

They pulled away in a tight game late as the began to wear down the Warriors with two late TDs.

And they did it with big performances on both sides of the ball.

In addition to their relentless running attack, which racked up 175 yards on the ground, quarterback Chandler Crenshaw had a big night with two TD passes and the team defense handed Del Norte a first regular-season shutout in seven years.

For more on their big week, see Huskies shut out the Warriors with statement win in season opener …