Photo by Ray Hamill/HumboldtSports.com – Ferndale’s Prescott Langer was the 2024 Humboldt Sports Little 4 Boys Athlete of the year and is a finalists for the award again this year. Also pictured are 2024 award sponsors Patti and Chris Prior, who presented him with the trophy.

By Ray Hamill — It was another exciting year of sports action for the Little 4 boys, with several teams and individuals stepping up and showcasing their talents.

The Ferndale Wildcats shared the L4 title in football with Arcata and would go on to qualify for a second straight NCS championship game, while the St. Bernard’s Crusaders enjoyed an historic triple-championship season in basketball and reclaimed the conference title in baseball.

The South Fork Cubs and Hoopa Warriors also fielded competitive teams, with the latter enjoying their best baseball season in well over a decade.

And with all of that in mind, there are several worthy candidates once again for this year’s Humboldt Sports Little 4 Boys Athlete of the Year award.

All four schools are represented on the list of finalists, including three from Ferndale.

Last year’s winner, Ferndale’s Prescott Langer, is back among the finalists after yet another outstanding year in four sports.

Interestingly, the list of finalists include four seniors and four juniors.

The Little 4 Boys Athlete of the Year award is one of six awards Humboldt Sports will be announcing soon, along with our Team of the Year, our Coach of the Year, our Little 4 Girls Athlete of the Year and our Big 5 Girls and Boys Athletes of the Year.

Before we announce the winners and present each of them with a trophy to commemorate their achievements, we will be naming our finalists in all six categories.

And as always, a big shout out and thank you to the award sponsors, a group that includes The Humboldt Fence Company, DelReka Distributing, Mendes Supply Company and Bode Construction, all of whose support will help to pay for the trophies. 

HUMBOLDT SPORTS 2025 LITTLE 4 BOYS ATHLETE OF THE YEAR FINALISTS

Tyler Hinrichs

St. Bernard’s Junior, Football, Basketball and Baseball

A three-sport standout, Hinrichs enjoyed outstanding years in football, basketball and baseball, earning all-league selections in the latter two after receiving an all-league honorable mention in football, where he starred as one of the best kickers in the entire NCS.

Prescott Langer

Ferndale Junior, Football, Basketball, Baseball and Rodeo

The 2024 L4 Boys Athlete of the Year, Prescott is the only finalist to star in four different sports, earning all-league honors in football, basketball and baseball and also enjoying another big year in rodeo.

Michael Manzi

St. Bernard’s Junior, Football and Baseball

The impressive St. Bernard’s junior enjoyed huge seasons in both football and baseball, earning all-league honors in both and turning in an MVP-caliber campaign in the latter.

Lyle McKinnon

Hoopa Senior, Football, Basketball and Baseball

McKinnon was one of two Hoopa seniors to earn all-league selections in all three of his sports. He has been the Warriors’ most impressive player in baseball for the past few years, but also played key roles for his teams in football and basketball.

Tanner Pidgeon

Ferndale Junior, Football, Basketball and Baseball

Another Wildcat who continues to play huge roles on all three of his teams. Pidgeon was arguably the best all-around football player in the Little 4, where he was named the conference Offensive co-MVP, and also received all-league recognition in baseball.

Parker Prior

Ferndale Senior, Basketball and Baseball

One of the most competitive athletes in Little 4 sports, Prior closed out his high school career with big seasons in two sports, earning all-league honors in basketball and baseball. He has been one of the top baseball players in the area since his freshman campaign.

Brandon Romero

Hoopa Senior, Football, Basketball and Baseball

Romero has been one of the best athletes in the Little 4 for the past few seasons, but took his game to new heights this year with outstanding all-league campaigns in football, basketball and baseball. He was also a valuable team leader for the Warriors.

Wesley Way

South Fork Senior, Football and Basketball

Way was a key contributor for the Cubs in multiple sports this past year and closed out an impressive high school playing career by earning all-league honors in both football and basketball.