Photos by Ray Hamill/HumboldtSports.com

By Ray Hamill — The top two teams in this week’s Humboldt Sports Power Rankings are also the top two ranked local teams in the North Coast Section, according to MaxPreps.

Just not in the same order.

The St. Bernard’s Crusaders, who are 4-0 and ranked No. 2 in our Power Rankings, are the highest ranked H-DNL team in the NCS this week, coming in at No. 29 overall.

The Ferndale Wildcats, meanwhile, are two spots further back at No. 31.

Both schools are also highly ranked in Division 7, coming in at No. 3 (St. Bernard’s) and No. 4 (Ferndale), and while they are not scheduled to play each other in the regular season, there remains the possibility they could face off in an all-local playoff game later in the fall.

And that would be a game local fans would relish.

The Arcata Tigers (1-2), meanwhile, are the third highest ranked local team on MaxPreps, and feature at No. 48 overall, one spot ahead of Del Norte (3-1).

The Tigers defense, however, has been a cause for concern early in season, with the team allowing 127 points in the two losses so far.

The Tigers are also ranked No. 6 in Division 4.

Del Norte, which has a bye in action this weekend, is the No. 4 team in Division 6.

Fortuna (No. 52), Eureka (No. 64), McKinleyville (No. 79) and Hoopa (No. 91) round out the H-DNL teams in the NCS rankings.

Fortuna (0-3) and Eureka (1-2) are both ranked No. 5 in their divisions — Division 6 and 5, respectively — while McKinleyville is No. 9 in Division 6 and Hoopa is No. 11 in Division 7.

There are no rankings for the South Fork Cubs, who play in eight-player football.