Big-play Arcata Tigers dominate at Del Norte, go to 3-0 on the season

By barstoolfanatics on September 13, 2024 • ( Leave a comment )

File photo – The Arcata Tigers are now 3-0 on the season.

The Arcata Tigers took advantage of several big plays on their way to a third victory over a Big 4 opponent in three weeks, winning 35-6 at Del Norte on Friday night.

Junior quarterback Luke Lemke threw for three touchdowns, including two to Jackson Strand, and ran in for two more as the Tigers improved to 3-0.

They set the tone early when Lemke and Strand connected on a 66-yard scoring pass on the team’s second offensive play of the night.

Del Norte, however, responded quickly when Ben Borges scored on a 16-yard TD run just a few minutes later, but a missed PAT would leave the home team trailing 7-6.

That, unfortunately for the Warriors, was the last time they would find the end zone, as they dropped to 1-2 on the season.

The Tigers, on the other hand were just getting warmed up.

Lemke would add a 51-yard TD run to put them up 14-6 late in the first quarter.

Strand added a second TD catch before halftime, this one good for 75 yards, and the visitor would lead 21-6 at the break.

They continued to add to their tally with two more TDs in the third quarter.

The dynamic Lemke made it a three-TD lead on a 76-yard scoring run, before completing his third touchdown throw of the night later in the quarter, this one good for 54 yards.

For the night, Lemke ran for 166 yards on 11 carries, including the two long TD runs.

He also passed for 235 yards, including 148 yards to Strand, who took two of his three receptions to the end zone.

Alex Greenway also continued to run the ball effectively for the Tigers, as he has through the early season, and he finished with 46 yards on 17 carries.

The Warriors were unable to get much going on offense after their early touchdown and managed just 80 yards of total offense.

Borges had 37 yards on 12 carries while teammate William McCovey added 24 yards on 11 carries.