Ray Hamill/HumboldtSports.com – Dayquan Dunn

By Ray Hamill — The Arcata Tigers have gotten the new school year off to a strong start on multiple sports fronts.

And because of that they feature heavily in this week’s Humboldt Sports Athletes of the Week.

In football, the Tigers showed why many people consider them to be the best team in the H-DNL right now with a thrilling come-from-behind win over Fortuna last weekend.

And in girls golf, the defending league champs got the new H-DNL campaign off to a flying start with three of their golfers placing in the top five in the first round of league play at Beau Pre Golf Course in McKinleyville on Thursday.

No two athletes impressed more for the Tigers this past week than seniors Dayquan Dunn and Madyson Nelson, who get the nod for our two athletes on the week.

Dunn keyed the late rally in football with an outstanding finish to the game.

With his team trailing in the final minutes, Dunn blocked a punt deep in Fortuna territory to set up his touchdown catch from junior quarterback Luke Lemke and he followed that just moments later with a game-sealing pick six on defense.

The Arcata senior came into the new season as one of the top college prospects in the H-DNL and he did nothing to dispel that notion with a spectacular performance in the win.

Nelson also had a week to remember.

The Tigers standout led the way in Thursday’s league-opening round and dominated the rest of the field with a 13-stroke victory.

The defending league champion shot a 96 to take the win.

ATHLETES OF THE WEEK

Dayquan Dunn

Arcata Football, Senior

After an MVP-caliber season in his junior year, during which he was named Little 4 Defensive MVP, Dunn has hit the ground running in his final high school season playing football.

He opened with an 81-yard TD reception against Eureka two weeks ago and followed that with a two-TD performance against the Huskies, helping to lead the Tigers to back-to-back wins over Big 4 teams in the opening two weekends of the new season.

“Spectacular,” is how his head coach Matt Magers described the player after last weekend’s win. “He always finds a way to make plays. He’s a special guy.”

For more on Dunn’s big week, see Inspirational Dunn lifts Arcata to thrilling comeback win …

Submitted photo – Madyson Nelson in action at Beau Pre Golf Course on Thursday.

Madyson Nelson

Arcata Golf, Senior

After taking home the league title in 2023, Nelson looks like she’s the golfer to beat once again in league play in 2024.

Nelson showcased her title ambitions with a huge victory in the opening round of league play at Beau Pre on Thursday and appears determined to do her best to take home another league championship this fall.

She has plenty of support on an Arcata team that will also be a heavy favorite to win another team championship.

For more on her big week, see Nelson and the Tigers begin league play strong …