By Ray Hamill — With the new local high school football season kicking off this weekend, it’s time for the first Humboldt Sports Power Rankings of the year.
Last week’s league preseason jamboree gave us some idea as to what to expect from each of the nine league teams this fall, and perhaps what we can expect to see in both the Big 4 and Little 4 in the coming months.
Until someone dethrones them, the five-time defending B5 champion Del Norte Warriors remain the team to beat in their conference.
The Warriors started somewhat slow last fall, but grew into the season as the weeks went by, before eventually clinching the conference crown in thrilling fashion at St. Bernard’s on the final day of the regular season.
Can they repeat yet again?
Time will tell, but honestly the conference looks wide open this season and a home-and-away format changes things.
Fortuna also looks dangerous and will feature a dynamic running game, while St. Bernard’s is always dangerous under the guidance of head coach Matt Tomlin and could feature the best defensive line in conference.
Perhaps the most intriguing story heading into the new season is the Eureka Loggers.
Last year, in his first season in charge, head coach Sam Edmonds helped the Loggers turn the corner on what been a barren couple of years for the program, and if they can continue to build, the Loggers could challenge for the conference title.
In the Little 4, defending state champion Arcata return senior playmaker Luke Lemke at quarterback, along with a few other key players from the championship roster.
However, the Tigers lost several important starters to graduation and it remains to be seen if they can be as competitive this fall.
The Ferndale Wildcats, who shared the L4 title with Arcata last season after a big victory over the Tigers on the final day of the regular season, could very well be the best team in the entire H-DNL heading into the new season.
The Wildcats return several starting linemen after reaching a North Coast Section championship game a year ago and they may have the most complete group of skill players in the league, with Tanner Pidgeon, Prescott Langer and Ethan Weitzel all legitimate Player of the Year contenders.
McKinleyville and Hoopa round out the L4 teams and both will be hoping to also make some noise in conference play.
The Panthers welcome a new head coach — Jason Benge — and have a big roster for the first time in a few years, which will benefit them, while the Warriors return a core group of talented seniors and have been building towards this season for a few years.
The South Fork Cubs, meanwhile, will remain in eight-person football this fall as they look to make noise in the NCL III and the NCS.
New head coach Brandon Coborn take over from longtime coach Karl Terrell this fall.
POWER RANKINGS
1 — Ferndale
The Wildcats look like the best team in the H-DNL right now
2 — Del Norte
Until someone stops them, the Warriors remain the team to beat in the Big 5
3 — St. Bernard’s
The Crusaders have a lot of talent, but not a ton of depth
4 — Fortuna
The Huskies will feature a dangerous ground attack this fall
5T — Eureka
The Loggers have a big showdown at Arcata to start the season
5T — Arcata
We’ll know a lot more about this year’s Tigers after Saturday night’s big showdown
