By Ray Hamill — The overwhelming dominance of this year’s Ferndale football team was on full display once again on Saturday, as the Cats cruised to another huge win.

The Arcata Tigers, who shared last year’s conference title with the Wildcats, traveled to Coach Carlson Wildcat Field with the Little 4 lead on the line, but the home team was in no sharing mood this time around and completely dominated on the way to a 72-0 victory.

Incredibly, the Cats have now shut out their first seven opponents of the season by a combined 450-0, including three straight conference wins by at least 72 points each.

And once again the game was decided long before halftime.

The Cats scored touchdowns on all four opening-quarter possessions and stretched the lead to 50-0 by halftime.

And, as you would expect from such a lopsided score, there were several standouts in the red jerseys.

The senior tandem of Tanner Pidgeon and Prescott Langer combined for all 10 Ferndale touchdowns, scoring five each.

Langer scored on a run, a reception, an interception and on an onside kickoff recovery on special teams.

He opened the scoring on his team’s first drive of the afternoon, finding the end zone from 29 yards out.

Pidgeon wold score his team’s next five touchdowns, all before halftime.

His first TD came on a 29-yard run and his second on a 56-yard pick six.

He would then add TD runs of five, two and 19 yards, before Langer closed out the first-half scoring on a two-yard run

The second half began in much the same fashion as the first half ended, with Langer adding three more TDs.

On Ferndale’s first play of the third quarter, the senior pulled in a short pass from Pidgeon and ran 35 yards to the end zone.

Just two plays later, he added to the lead on a 25-yard pick six, and he would close out the scoring on special teams, when he recovered an onside kick and ran into the end zone.

The Cats also had two safeties to complete their total dominance in all facets of the game.

“It wasn’t just scoring touchdowns, but the diversity of his overall game,” Ferndale head coach Clint McClurg said of Langer. “It just showed what sort of player he is.”

The Ferndale defense and special teams have played major roles in the Cats’ success this fall, frequently giving the offense excellent field position, and that continued to be the case again on Saturday.

“Our defense and special teams just continually give our offense short porch,” McClurg said. “And they just take full advantage of it. They’re executing at a pretty high level.”

The Tigers played the game without quarterback Luke Lemke, who has given the Cats a lot of problems over the past two seasons, and his absence was felt.

But it was far from the difference in the game, such was the home team’s total dominance.

The Cats controlled the line of scrimmage all day, with numerous players stepping up on both sides of the ball, including sophomore Rigel Hahner.

The young standout was called up to varsity because there was no JV game on Saturday and he spent much of the afternoon in the Arcata offensive backfield, making numerous big-time plays.

“That young buck got the opportunity with the JVs not playing,” McClurg said. “He’s one we felt could play at this level.

“There’s (a bunch) of JV kids we feel could play at the varsity level.”

That’s not exactly what the rest of the Little 4 wants to hear right about now, but it’s not a surprising assessment considering the Ferndale JVs are also 7-0 on the season and 3-0 in conference.

Other players who stood out for Ferndale on Saturday included sophomore Greyson Mathews at center and senior linemen Jacob Kurwitz and Ethan Weitzel.

Weitzel is enjoying an outstanding season, while Kurwitz is becoming more and more influential with each game.

“Jacob Kurwitz is playing outstanding up front,” McClurg said. 

So too is junior Angel Zaragoza, whose “football IQ is improving significantly” in just his third year playing the game, according to his coach.

Junior Mason Garrett also impressed.

“I think all those guys up front (played well),” the Ferndale coach added.

The McClurg brothers — senior Rolland and junior Garyn — also continue to impress on both sides of the ball.

Garyn played a new role on Saturday and had an immediate impact, switching from inside linebacker to outside linebacker, with junior Brandon Bailey making the switch from outside to inside.

And both players looked like savvy veterans in their new roles.

“That was very impressive to see,” the head coach added. “Two new dudes in two new positions and we were still able to keep Arcata’s offensive production to a minimal.”

Few players on the team, however, are having the same impact as Pidgeon, who is a threat to score every time he touches the ball, and often does so on both sides of the ball.

The senior quarterback/safety has taken his game to a new level this fall, particularly with his passing, and he looks set to close out his high school career in style.

Asked whether he has seen much improvement from his signal caller this year, Clint McClurg responded emphatically.

“Absolutely,” he said. “I know his touch has gotten significantly better, and his reading of the game, and his decision making.

“I think we have a pretty unique individual in No. 2.”

Next up, the Cats will host Hoopa Valley next Saturday afternoon, a team they defeated 73-0 two weeks ago.

But despite their overwhelming dominance, this is a group of Ferndale players who are remaining grounded and focused on each game.

And it’s something the coaches appreciate.

“Their humbleness and willingness to continue to improve (is impressive),” Clint McClurg said. “And that is just a pleasure and joy to be around.”

The question now is can this team close out the regular season without giving up a point.

Ferndale fans no doubt are beginning to believe they can.

This team has given them every reason to do so.