Photos by Ray Hamill/HumboldtSports.com – Tyler Hinrichs (10) has been named co-MVP of the Big 4, along with Fortuna’s Mako Limon.

By Ray Hamill — As expected, Big 4 co-champs Fortuna and St. Bernard’s are well represented on this year’s all-league football team, with two seniors sharing the 2025 MVP honors.

Both schools enjoyed memorable seasons and faced off against each other on three occasions, including a conference split that ultimately resulted in a shared Big 4 championship.

They were clearly the two best teams in the Big 4, and both programs have established themselves as perennial North Coast Section contenders under the guidance of legendary coaches Matt Tomlin of St. Bernard’s and Mike Benbow of Fortuna.

Both teams have been rewarded with seven all-league selections apiece, including seniors Mako Limon of Fortuna and Tyler Hinrichs of St. Bernard’s, who have been named co-MVPs of the Big 4.

Limon came into the season regarded as one of the best players here on the North Coast — and arguably the best running back — and he more than lived up to that billing.

According to Benbow, the standout senior back’s contributions were felt in multiple ways, including his inspirational play on the field.

“Mako was the backbone of our team, grinding through every phase,” the longtime Huskies coach said. “Despite injuries and setbacks, he carried us with dedication and grit.”

Limon finished the year with 1395 yards rushing on 218 carries for an average of 6.4 a carry.

He also scored 17 rushing touchdowns.

In addition to his obvious talents and the hard work he put in, Limon also was an MVP with his approach to the game and his teammates.

“He was very coachable and was a great teammate,” Benbow added.

Limon and the Huskies also had to overcome some adversity this year.

After starting the season 0-3, the Huskies responded by winning eight of their next nine games to reach the Division-6 NCS championship game, including a huge section semifinal win at St. Bernard’s.

They finished the year with a record of 8-5, including a 5-1 mark in the Big 4.

Hinrichs was equally impressive for the Crusaders, playing multiple roles and excelling in all of them.

Not only was he one of the best kickers in the NCS, including nailing a 51-yarder against Hoopa, but his contributions could be felt in several other areas as well, including at receiver, running back and linebacker.

“Tyler Hinrichs had a sensational senior season,” Tomlin said. “He starred at wide receiver, running back, short-yardage quarterback, linebacker, and he was the best kicker in Northern California.”

Hinrichs finished the season with 810 yards receiving and seven touchdowns on 57 receptions, and he also rushed for 242 yards on 62 carries and scored seven more TDs.

He scored a team-high 16 total TDs.

But that wasn’t all that impressed his coaches.

“Tyler represents everything it means to be a student athlete, as he excelled in the classroom and on the football field,” Tomlin said. “It was an honor to coach such an amazing young man.”

The Crusaders finished the season 10-2, including an 8-0 start, with their only two losses of the campaign coming against Fortuna.

In addition to Limon, nine other Fortuna players also received all-league recognition, including six who joined him on the all-league first team.

All seven of the Fortuna all-league players — a group that includes Brad Essig (TE/LB), Michael Shaw (WR/DB), Kavi Bolden (RB/LB), Will Shaw (QB/DB), Gavin Mayberry (WR/DB) and Tyson Evanow (RB/LB) — are seniors.

Three of St. Bernard’s seven all-league picks are juniors, including dominating lineman Josh Tinkham, quarterback Trenten Hagler and receiver/safety Garrett Shanahan.

All three should only continue to improve as seniors in 2026.

SB seniors Kuron Devlin (WR/RB/CB), Kohlton Hall (DE) and Jahseree Bailey (DE/OL) each also were included on the all-league team after big campaigns for all three.

Aaron Thurston, Brayden Timmerman and Kingston Natt each also received an all-league honorable mention for the Huskies, while Teqkauri Achane, Robert Sirrine, Quentin Ikeya and Asher Floyd were included among the honorable mentions for St. Bernard’s.

Despite seeing their five-season run as champions of the Big 4 end this fall, there were still some big bright spots for the Del Norte Warriors, who won two conference games and finished the season 5-5, falling just short of making the NCS playoffs.

Four Warriors were named to the all-league team, a group that includes Tobias Meyers (RB), Kanyon Starkey (QB/CB/HB), Jason Murphy (RB/LB) and Ricardo Borges (OL).

Borges is a junior, while the other three Del Norte honorees are seniors.

The Warriors, who were coached by Darren LaFazio, also have four honorable mentions, including Sawyer Fry, William McCovey, Dane Brown and Yatish Patel.

It was a disappointing and injury-riddled season for the Eureka Loggers, who opened with a victory over Arcata before dropping their final nine games.

But there were some bright spots for head coach Sam Edmonds’ team, including two all-league selections.

Senior linebacker/tight end Dominic Hardcastle was included, along with Bryson Burns, who played quarterback and free safety and is the only sophomore out of 20 players on this year’s all-league team.

Tama Fonoti, Eddie Gonzalez, Isaac Lopez, Nate McDonnell and Brycen Mismash each also received an honorable mention for the Loggers.