Wildcats top Eureka to continue remarkable regular-season winning streak

By Ray Hamill — The Ferndale Wildcats scored four second-quarter touchdowns to take control of Friday night’s game at the Redwood Bowl, as junior running back Preston Killingsworth continued to showcase why he is one of the most dangerous playmakers in the H-DNL right now.

One week after scoring four touchdowns in a dominating win at Fall River, Killingsworth found the end zone three more times to lead the Cats to a comprehensive 48-12 win over the Eureka Loggers.

With the win, which was their 17th consecutive in regular-season action, the Wildcats improved to 4-0.

The Loggers, who were coming off a bye week after a thrilling victory over Marshfield two weeks ago, trailed by 27 at the break and were never really in contention after the second quarter.

In addition to Killingsworth’s big night, Ferndale controlled the line of scrimmage for much of the game and overwhelmed the Loggers on both sides of the ball, forcing four turnovers.

After turning the ball over on downs on their first possession of the game, the Cats would score touchdowns on seven of their next eight drives to close out the game.

Garyn McClurg got the party started less than a minute into the second quarter, breaking free for a 42-yard touchdown run.

He would double the advantage on Ferndale’s next possession, capping a six-play, 75-yard drive with his second TD run of the game, this one good for 41 yards.

On the very next play from scrimmage, Ferndale’s George Bibby recovered a fumble to give possession right back to the visitors, and they would take full advantage, quickly marching 25 yards on three plays and adding to their advantage on Killingsworth’s first TD of the game, from 12 yards out.

The Cats were just getting started.

On the very next play from scrimmage, senior cornerback Christian Enriquez intercepted a pass from Eureka quarterback Ben Klein and returned it 47 yards to the end zone.

Enriquez was untouched on his way to scoring, running in behind a wall of Wildcat white jerseys.

For good measure, Enriquez also nailed six of his seven PATs on the night.

His touchdown put them up by four TDs heading into the break.

Things would get worse for the home team early in the third.

The Cats received the kickoff and methodically marched 62 yards on 12 plays, with Killingsworth scoring the first of his two third-quarter TDs on a nine-yard run.

It was a statement drive to open the half, with the Cats controlling the line of scrimmage, and all 12 plays were runs, all but one of which went for positive yardage.

Killingsworth would find the end zone a third time later in the quarter, breaking free for a 60-yard score.

The Loggers, to their credit, refused to lay down, even with the game well out of reach, and they did have some success moving the ball.

Klein connected with Bryson Burns on a pair of big gains, including a 54-yard pass in the second quarter that would have resulted in a score but for a TD-saving tackle at the goal line by Ferndale’s Liam Bishop, who refused to give up on the play.

The Cats responded with Killingsworth’s 60-yard TD run just three plays later, but a long return by Eureka senior Palavi Vainuku on the ensuing kickoff gave the Loggers possession at the Ferndale 39, and they would take full advantage, finding the end zone five plays later on a one-yard Burns TD run.

Ferndale, however, would respond once again, scoring just six plays later when quarterback Adrian Lopez connected with Kelton Braud on a 20-yard touchdown pass to close out the scoring.

That score was set up by 31-yard Cash Mobley run, and the Ferndale junior has made a habit of making big gains late in games this year, showcasing the depth of options the Cats have in the offensive backfield.

Bibby had a big night on defense for the Cats and had two of his team’s four takeaways, following his second-quarter fumble recovery with an interception on Eureka’s final drive of the night.

Luke Dixon also had an interception for Ferndale on the final play of the first half.

The victory sets up a mouthwatering showdown between the last two remaining unbeaten H-DNL teams at St. Bernard’s next weekend.

The Loggers will try to bounce back when they host McKinleyville on Homecoming night in the first game at the newly-renovated Albee Stadium next Friday.