New year, same Wildcats.
After one of the most dominating seasons in H-DNL history last fall, North Coast football fans came into this year wondering what to expect from Ferndale football in 2026.
On Friday night, we got a first look at this year’s team and it was another impressive start for the most successful public school program in North Coast Section history.
The Cats traveled to Anderson High School and came away with a 31-6 win, getting the new campaign off to an impressive start.
And there was a lot to like about the performance.
On offense, the Cats wore down the Cubs with their relentless ground attack.
On defense they enjoyed outstanding pressure all night long.
Losing Ferndale legends Prescott Langer, Tanner Pidgeon and Ethan Weitzel to graduation left this year’s team with some big shoes to fill in the run game, but several players stepped up to help fill that void on Friday night.
Garyn McClurg, Preston Killingsorth and Liam Bishop all impressed carrying the ball in the win, behind a physical line that features Angel Zaragoza, Ruben Peredia, Mason Garrett, Greyson Mathews and Obadiah Gobel, and they all appear ready for another big year battling in the trenches.
But that’s just half the story.
The Cats defense gave up just one touchdown all night with some big performances on that side of the ball as well, most notably junior Rigel Hahner, who finished the game with a very impressive four and a half sacks.
“It was impressive,” Ferndale head coach Clint McClurg said of Hahner. “He had a season in a day. If he didn’t have another sack the rest of the year he’ll have had a pretty good year.”
Quarterback Adrian Lopez also had a big night with an impressive first-ever start at the position.
“He’s a young man that never started a game at the position in his entire life,” Clint McClurg said of Lopez, who was third string last year. “Did he have a spectacular game? Absolutely.
“That was an outstanding performance.”
The Cats started well.
After a quick three-and-out on defense, they went to work on offense and quickly established their physical run-heavy game plan, finding the end zone on their fourth play of the game.
Garyn McClurg opened the scoring on an 18-yard TD run, which was set up by some big gains by Killingsworth and Bishop.
Killingsworth would add to the tally early in the second quarter on a one-yard TD run, his first of the night and a score that was set up by key blocks by Garyn McClurg and Luke Dixon.
A big 50-yard-plus gain by Garyn McClurg put the Cats inside the 10 to help set up the score.
However, the hosts would respond before halftime, cutting the deficit in half with their only TD of the night.
The Cats got the ball back with just under two minutes remaining in the half and immediately went to work again.
However, the drive stalled deep in Anderson territory and the lead remained the same heading into the break.
The second half belonged to the visitors, who added to their lead on Killingsworth’s second touchdown of the game, this one from nine yards out.
Bishop would stretch the lead further on a play that epitomized the Cats’ night.
He scored on a one-yard run, walking in untouched behind impressive blocks by several of his teammates, including Colton Renner.
Christian Enriquez, one of the unheralded heroes on this team, nailed all four of his PATs with the help of snapper Garyn McClurg and holder Lopez, the second year that trio is working together.
They would add a late 20-yard field goal to close out the scoring.
But the ever-reliable kicking is just a part of what Enriquez brings to the team.
“He’s a hell of a corner,” Clint McClurg said. “He had an outstanding game.”
Brandon Bailey also impressed on defense, particularly with his pass rushing opposite Rahner.
“We were able to get out of there with a victory, which is always a good way to start the season,” Clint McClurg said. “it was definitely a good night.”
It was also a good night for the Ferndale JVs, who got their season off to a successful start with a “scrappy” performance, according to McClurg.
The young Wildcats were tied 6-6 at halftime, but would score the only TD of the second half and came away with a 12-6 win.
