Ray Hamill/HumboldtSports,.com – The Hoopa Warriors will host Etna on Friday night.

By Ray Hamill — The Hoopa Warriors will look to put a disappointing season opener behind them when they host Etna in their second game of the season on Friday night.

Last week, the Warriors fell to St. Bernard’s 45-6 in a performance that was plagued with two many penalties.

First-year varsity head coach Curtis Kane, however, is confident his team can bounce back and fully believes that performance was not reflective of his players.

“That was in no way shape or form the team I coach,” He said. “There was a lot of positives to take out of it. It wasn’t like they walked all over us. We stopped them (at times). It was just miscommunication.

“I think it just came down to discipline.”

The Warriors gave up more than 150 yards in penalties, including six personal fouls.

And, as the coach said afterwards, “It’s hard to be successful when you get something good going and a penalty moves you back.”

The big bright spot for the Warriors came late in the first half on their only TD of the night.

Hoopa quarterback Lyle McKinnon tossed the ball to teammate Allen Kane, who threw the ball deep to a wide-open Brandon Romero, who displayed his speed and took it to the end zone on a 91-yard TD reception.

“That lifted our spirits going into the half,” Curtis Kane said of the play.

Another bright spot was the play of sophomore Logan Halbutta, who was outstanding on both sides of the ball in his first taste of varsity football.

“He did make a few mistakes, but man he was all over the field,” the head coach said. “I’m really proud of him. And I feel like Brandon obviously had a big performance.”

Halbutta is one of five sophomores on a young Hoopa roster this season.

The Hoopa offensive and defensive lines had their work cut out for them going up against one of the top programs in the league but the players who featured battled hard all the way.

“I would say the effort is always there on the line,” the head coach said. “They’re the ones getting beat up more than most and they can’t shy from the contact.

“I think the line deserves credit for going head-to-head for what, 144 plays.”

St. Bernard’s head coach Matt Tomlin also praised the play of two Hoopa players in particular, Allen Kane and Romero.

“They are two players I expect to have a great year for Hoopa,” he said. “Brandon Romero is as good a wide receiver as you’re going to see in the H-DN this year. He’s a special player. Hats off to both of those guys.

“I really think you’re going to see Hoopa be competitive this year.”

Injuries didn’t help matters for the Warriors, who were down two starting running backs early in the game after Nathan Edwards took a knock and joined Donald Hostler on the sideline.

Allen Kane then switched to running back alongside impressive junior Kehniwh Offield, who stepped up to the challenge and had a big performance in the loss.

The Warriors are hoping to have Hostler and Edwards back for Friday night’s game against Etna

The Lions also dropped their season opener, falling 38-0 to Anderson.

Friday’s game is set for 7:30 p.m.

“I think we’re going to have to be versatile on Friday night and adjust,” Curtis Kane said, “It’ll be a challenge for us for sure. We don’t want to be 0-2.”