Ray Hamill/HumboldtSports.com

By Ray Hamill — It was a good week for several of the H-DNL football teams and for two junior quarterbacks in particular.

Coming into the new season we expected big things out of Arcata’s Luke Lemke and Ferndale’s Tanner Pidgeon and both quarterbacks delivered with big performances in their respective openers.

And that gets them the nod for our athletes of the week.

Lemke picked up just where he left off a year ago and threw for three touchdowns in a 22-0 win over Eureka at the Redwood Bowl, including two to senior receiver Cal Tucker.

The electrifying and elusive Lemke was a nightmare matchup for the Eureka defense and continually evaded tackles all night long with his scrambling ability.

And that gave his receivers time to get open and often resulted in big gains.

He also displayed his arm strength with a big throw to receiver Dayquan Dunn for an 81-yard TD.

Pidgeon, who played a key role in leading the Wildcats to a state championship a year ago and looks even better this fall, was equally impressive.

Pidgeon ran for four TDs and threw for another as the Cats comfortably defeated Fort Bragg 39-12.

He scored on runs of 2, 95, 52 and 9 yards, while also connecting with receiver Jonah Anderson on a 14-yard TD pass.

For good measure, he also had two interceptions on defense, the second of which set up a touchdown that put the Cats up 33-12 and essentially ended the game as a contest.

All in all, it was a great opening weekend for both quarterbacks, each of whom look like they should have big seasons for their respective schools.

ATHLETES OF THE WEEK

Tanner Pidgeon

Ferndale Football, Junior

Pidgeon is without doubt one of the best young athletes in the H-DNL right now and is showing no signs of slowing down after an outstanding start to the new school year.

This was not the first time he accounted for five TDs in a game and it may not be the last.

He got plenty of support from a Ferndale offensive line that helped set up some of his big gains, but he also broke several tackles and made things happen himself.

He finished the game with 202 yards rushing on 16 carries for an average of 12.6 and looked dangerous every time he touched the ball.

“If you give him space he’s going to do that,” Ferndale head coach Clint McClurg said of the 95-yard TD run. 

For more on Pidgeon’s big week, see Five-TD day for Pidgeon, as Cats roll over the Timberwolves …

Luke Lemke

Arcata Football, Junior

The reigning Offensive MVP of the Little 4 is already making a case for winning the award for a second straight year.

More than anything, Lemke is just fun to watch play the game and has to be one of the most exciting players in the entire North Coast Section right now.

The good news for the Eureka defense is that the Loggers won’t have to face him again this year.

The rest of the H-DNL, however, had better watch out, and no doubt the Fortuna Huskies have been busy game planning for the Arcata standout all week ahead of their matchup against the Tigers on Friday night.

He completed 9 of 22 passes for 158 yards against the Loggers and also ran for 71 yards on 10 carries, keeping plays alive with his dynamic scrambling ability and pocket presence.

For more on his big week, see Lemke, Tigers too strong for new-look Loggers in season opener …