Photos by Ray Hamill/HumboldtSports.com – Luke Lemke in action for the Arcata Tigers on Friday night.

By Ray Hamill — Two seniors showcased just why they are so important to their respective football teams over the weekend.

And that makes both of them our choice for Humboldt Sports Athletes of the Week.

Arcata’s Luke Lemke led the Arcata Tigers to a 33-27 win over Del Norte with a brilliant performance in an exciting showdown at McKinleyville High School.

The elusive senior quarterback is one of the most exciting players we’ve seen on the North Coast in recent years and he played a pivotal role in his team’s big win with his elusive scrambling and passing.

Lemke, who led the Tigers to a first-ever state championship a year ago, ran in for three touchdowns and passed for another.

St. Bernard’s Tyler Hinrichs also played a huge role in his team’s dominating 44-0 win over Hoopa.

Fondly referred to as his team’s Swiss Army Knife because of the multiple different roles he plays effectively, Hinrichs ran in for a touchdown and passed for a touchdown, but it was his play on special teams that really made the headlines.

Hinrichs kicked a 51-yard field goal in the win, further cementing his reputation as one of the best kickers in the North Coast Section.

Our team of the week honors, meanwhile, go to the Ferndale Wildcats football team.

The Cats are off to an impressive start to the new season and improved to 2-0 with a dominating victory over a quality Fall River program in Ferndale on Saturday afternoon.

One of just three unbeaten varsity teams in the area — along with St. Bernard’s (3-0) and South Fork (1-0) — no other local team has impressed as much early in the new campaign as Ferndale, which has outscored its first two opponents by a combined 119-0.

ATHLETES OF THE WEEK

Luke Lemke

Arcata Football, Senior

Lemke has played some spectacular games for the Tigers since breaking into the team as a sophomore, but Friday night’s performance might just have been his most impressive yet.

The Arcata senior quarterback was a nightmare matchup for the Del Norte defense in the win, evading multiple tackles every time he touched the ball and proving almost impossible to tackle.

For more on his big game, see No stopping Lemke as Tigers top the Warriors in statement win …

Tyler Hinrichs

St. Bernard’s Football, Senior

Hinrichs’ big field goal highlighted another big performance by the Crusaders, who have dominated their first three opponents of the season.

The SB senior multi-sport athlete has begun his senior season on the football field in dynamic fashion and has been a key contributor in all three of the Crusaders’ wins.

But it’s his success as a kicker that really gives this team a unique and valuable weapon that you rarely see at the high school level.

For more on Hinrichs’ big weekend, seeCrusaders top Hoopa with their second straight shutout, go to 3-0 …

TEAM OF THE WEEK

Ferndale Football

There were some big expectations for the Wildcats heading into the new season, and thus far they have not disappointed.

Under the guidance of head coach Clint McClurg and his staff, the Cats have come storming out of the gates and look set for a big campaign in the Little 4 and beyond.

This is a team that features several standout seniors — a group that includes the always dangerous Precott Langer, Tanner Pidgeon,  Ethan Weitzel and Rolland McClurg— but it’s also a program that has unusual depth for such a small school program.

There are few if any weaknesses noticeable so far on this year’s team, and while bigger challenges lay ahead, the Cats have comfortably taken care of business so far and should only continue to improve as the season progresses.

It should be a fun year in the Cream City.

For more on the Wildcats’ big week see Cats start fast, dominate Fall River with their trademark physicality …