Photos by Ray Hamill/HumboldtSports.com – Ferndale’s Ethan Weitzel, left, and Tanner Pidgeon were both named co-MVPs of the Little 4 along with Arcata’s Luke Lemke and Jackson Strand.

By Ray Hamill — Now that the 2024 local high school football season has finally concluded, the H-DNL has announced this year’s Big 4 and Little 4 all-league teams and MVPs.

The Little 4 selections include co-MVPs on both offense and defense, with co-champions Arcata and Ferndale well represented, as expected.

Junior quarterbacks Luke Lemke of Arcata and Tanner Pidgeon of Ferndale were named co-Offensive MVPs, while defensive back Jackson Strand of Arcata and defensive lineman Ethan Weitzel of Ferndale have been named co-Defensive MVPs.

All four players enjoyed outstanding seasons for their respective teams, with the Tigers and Wildcats each winning one of the two conference matchups between the the schools on their way to sharing the championship.

Both QBs are just juniors and should only continue to improve.

Pidgeon, who also plays safety, enjoyed a stellar year on both sides of the ball for the Cats, who would go on to reach a second straight North Coast Section championship game before falling just short to eventual state champion Moreau Catholic.

He could just as easily have been named defensive MVP as well.

“Tanner is arguably the overall MVP with his defensive and special teams contributions,” Ferndale head coach Clint McClurg said. “Offensively, the type of production he had in every game was truly remarkable.”

The dynamic playmaker was a threat to find the end zone every time he touched the ball and he had 29 rushing touchdowns and 30 total.

He finished with 1,321 yards rushing, which was 15th best in the NCS, and also had six interceptions from his safety position.

“Greatness is defined by being good consistently,” McClurg said. “He’s no doubt a great player.”

Lemke was equally impressive on the way to leading the Arcata Tigers to a state championship this past weekend.

He finished the season with 2,611 yards passing, which was sixth best in the NCS, and threw for 35 TDs, which was fourth best in the section.

He also ran for 1,708 yards, which was fourth best in the NCS, and ran in for 21 touchdowns.

Check out TDs by Luke Lemke and Jackson Strand above …

The junior standout scored the state championship-clinching TD on a one-yard run in overtime on Saturday night.

Weitzel and Strand were just as impressive on the other side of the ball and both were equally important in helping their teams clinch a conference championship.

Weitzel was the heart and soul of Ferndale’s offensive and defensive lines, leading relatively young units with his composed and consistent performances.

And that wasn’t all he brought to the team.

“Ethan is a consummate team-first player,” McClurg said. “He is very selfless, and when our defensive game plan is predicated on him being able to create double teams and free up our linebackers, his fundamentals and tenacity allow him to do what we need.”

He also embraced a leadership role on a Ferndale team that went 9-1 in the regular season, and he did so on both sides of the ball.

“His leadership is rare, as he is both a verbal and lead-by-example type of captain,” McClurg said. “Both defensively and offensively he leads our trench crew, and with our style of play he’s essential to our success.”

Check out some Tanner Pidgeon highlights below …

Jackson Strand (5)

Strand was a big-time playmaker for the Tigers, and he was so on both sides of the ball.

He finished the season with a remarkable nine interceptions, which was tied for fifth most in the entire state and tied for second most in the NCS.

Humboldt Sports reached out to Arcata head coach Matt Magers for his take on the season and his team leaders, but he did not respond.

The four MVPs were not the only all-league honorees for their teams.

The Wildcats had seven all-league selections and five honorable mentions.

Joining Pidgeon and Weitzel on the all-league team are teammates Prescott Langer, Jonah Anderson, Luke Dixon, Garyn McClurg and Rolland McClurg.

The Tigers also received seven all-league selections, as well as five honorable mentions.

In addition to Lemke and Strand, Arcata’s Cal Tucker, Dayquan Dunn , Kayden Hackett, Lincoln Neuman and Lennon Gieder also were named to the all-league team.

The Hoopa Warriors placed third in the Little 4 and had four players named to the all-league team.

Allen Kane, Brandan Romero, Lyle McKinnon and Donald Hostler all were included for the Warriors.

McKinleyville, meanwhile, received two all-league selections, with Steven Graves and Kaden Waugh getting the nod.

HONORABLE MENTIONS 

Arcata — Alex Greenway, Neiko Byson, Nate Stiles, Skyler Collenberg, Ricko Villalpando

Ferndale — Henry Westfall, Ruban Peredia, Angel Zaragoza, Jake Kurwitz, Tristen Titus

Hoopa — Nathan Edwards, Ian McConnell, Ethan Obie, Quincy McDonald

McKinleyville — Joseph Gatlin, Ruger Baxter, Jeremiah Smith, Connor Jones