By Ray Hamill — It’s been another challenging season on the local football fields for the Hoopa Warriors, but the program appears to be taking some notable steps in the right direction under first-year head coach Tashone Rice.
Over the weekend, the Warriors traveled to the coast to play a McKinleyville Panthers team that is enjoying a breakthrough season and fell 53-6 to drop to 1-5.
The loss was the fourth straight for the team, whose only win came at Healdsburg in early September.
But for a program that has struggled to find an identity in recent years, the Warriors are taking some notable steps in the right direction, something McKinleyville head coach Jason Benge noticed.
“This is a completely different Hoopa program,” Benge said after Friday’s game. “Hats off to coach Rice. They’ve got some players, they’re going to be a tough team.
“They’re a fun team, they’re great kids, their whole attitude was positive and they kept fighting.”
Rice, for his part, is doing his best to change the culture within the program and is holding the players to a higher standard on and off the field.
“Everybody’s holding each other accountable right now, and it’s pretty cool to see that,” the first-year head coach said.
As is often the case in football, injuries have not helped matters for the team this fall.
Several players on a small roster, including some key contributors, have been sidelined in recent weeks, a group that includes Jonathan Peralta, who is out for the season, as well as junior lineman Ryder Duncan.
Junior Jack Marshall, who was enjoying a productive campaign, is also out right now, along with tight end/cornerback Jayden Reed.
Jonathan Peralta, a safety, was leading the team in tackles, while Marshall was establishing himself as a playmaker for the team at running back and was also contributing at linebacker/defensive end.
“That’s hurt us,” Rice said of the injury setbacks.
In their place, several other players have had to step up.
Senior lineman Saul Peralta has been a team leader and is leading the way on both lines, while a young offensive line is making steady progress.
“Our O-line continues to grow,” Rice said of the unit that includes Saul Peralta, Sylvester Myers, Brian Billings, Jordan Gitchell and Meskwoh Robbins. “Most of then are young. They’re still getting their feet under them. They’re learning, they’re growing.
“(Saul Peralta) is an anchor for us, on both lines. It’s always good to have him out there. He kept playing.”
The highlight play of Friday’s loss was a 92-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Torin Billings to receiver Jesse Roberts, who caught the ball at the 35, broke a tackle and out-ran the Panthers defense to the end zone.
“He grounded it out,” Rice said of Roberts, who was battling an injury but rose to the occasion and finished with 182 yards on offense. “He worked through some pain. He’s a hard worker and he doesn’t give up at all.”
Billings is another player who has impressed his coach this season, particularly with his composure under pressure and ability to evade sacks.
Fellow junior, Owen Smith, a junior tight end/DB, also has impressed.
“He’s new to football this year, but he’s learning,” Rice said. “I’m proud of him.”
Despite the lopsided loss, Rice was more than happy with his players’ collective effort.
“I was really proud of the fact they fought hard all game,” Rice said. “They kept fighting, they continued to compete. We just have to continue to grow.”
If Rice and his players want to see what is possible, they only have to look at the Panthers, who have turned things around in their two years under Benge after going winless in 2023 and 2024.
With Friday’s win, McKinleyville improved to 5-1 on the season and is tied with Ferndale for the early Redwood League lead.
“Hats off to McKinleyville,” Rice said. “They’ve really turned that program around.”
Things won’t get any easier for the Warriors this weekend, as they get set for a challenging game at Fortuna against a Huskies team that has been among the every best in the H-DNL through the opening half of the season and is 5-1.
“We’re taking it game by game,” Rice said. “We’re focusing on Fortuna and trying to figure out how to slow that running game. They’ve got things going and are firing on all cylinders.”
Game time is set for 7:30 p.m.
