Photo by Michelle Conley

By Ray Hamill — When you win a state championship, there’s a pretty good chance you’re going to be well represented in our weekly awards.

After beating Portola in the state Division 6-AA football championship game on Saturday — and doing so in thrilling fashion — the Arcata Tigers are this week’s team of the week.

And that’s not all.

Junior quarterback Luke Lemke, who ran for three of his team’s four touchdowns in the win and was named the player of the game, is also one of our athletes of the week.

Lemke was far from the only hero on the night, but he was hugely influential in the win.

He not only scored the championship-winning TD, but he also set it up with one of the plays of the postseason just seconds before to give his team a first-and-goal at the Portola one-yard line.

Two other girls basketball players are also included in our weekly awards.

It’s been another outstanding start to the season for the H-DNL girls teams, with several of them impressing through the first few weeks.

But two players in particular have played pivotal roles for their respective teams over the past two weeks.

Eureka sophomore Tiara Maualuga and St. Bernard’s senior Laila Florvilus were both named tournament MVPs after leading their teams to tourney championships last weekend.

And that’s not all.

Both standouts also were named tournament MVPs after leading their teams to tourney titles the previous week as well.

ATHLETES OF THE WEEK

Luke Lemke

Arcata Football, Junior

The awards continue for Lemke, who enjoyed an outstanding fall playing for the Arcata Tigers.

Just a few days after being named player of the game in the state championship game, Lemke was also named co-Offensive MVP of the Little 4 this week.

For more on his big week, see Arcata Tigers crowned state champs with thrilling OT win …

Laila Florvilus

St. Bernard’s Basketball, Senior

Florvilus has picked up this season just where she off last year when she helped lead the Crusaders to a state title on the basketball court.

The outstanding senior looks set to close out her high school career with bang and has helped lead her team to the No. 8 ranking in the entire North Coast Section.

Florvilus saved her best for last with a dominating performance in the championship game of the Mt. Shasta tournament.

She finished with 29 points, eight rebounds, five steals and four assists in a 69-54 win over defending Nevada state champs Pyramid Lake.

For more on her big weeks see GIRLS ROUNDUP — Loggers, Crusaders prevail again …

Eureka’s Samara Gaither, left, and Tiara Maualuga

Tiara Maualuga

Eureka Basketball, Sophomore

Maualuga was every bit as impressive at the Windsor tournament, as the Eureka girls defeated Miramonte 50-47 in the championship game.

The multi-sport standout sophomore, who also is a force on the volleyball court, scored 18 points in the championship win.

Maualuga also was named MVP at the Gridley Classic the previous weekend.

For more on her big weeks see GIRLS ROUNDUP — Loggers, Crusaders prevail again …

TEAM OF THE WEEK

Arcata Football

The Tigers joined some elite company with their historic first-ever state championship in football last weekend.

A thrilling victory over SoCal champs Portola followed the program’s first-ever NCS and NorCal championships.

With the win, the Tigers became the fourth H-DNL school to win a state title in the sport.

For more on their big week, see Arcata Tigers crowned state champs with thrilling OT win …