Racing returns to the Redwood Acres Raceway this week for the first time in almost a month as the 2023 season begins to wind down. On Saturday, the local track will host […]
barstoolfanatics
At the age of 10, having failed in his lifelong ambition to become a vigilante vampire werewolf – otherwise known as a vamp-wolf – Ray Hamill finally admitted defeat and turned his attention full-time to daydreaming instead.
A mere few decades later, the world of crime fighting’s loss is now the literary world’s gain.
Born in Dublin, Ireland, Ray moved to the United States after graduating college, spending time in Boston and San Francisco before settling among the redwoods in Northern California, where he has worked as a journalist for the past 20 years.
In that time he has published three books, including his most recent, Help, My Horse is Drowning!, a humorous look at the world of sports and the life of the enthusiastically delusional athlete in us all.
He previously published the outrageously satirical Free the Leprechauns! as well as the semi-autobiographical Help Me, Im Irish! - a book about the non-meaning of life.
Ray is also the host of a weekly sports talk radio show broadcast locally in Northern California on Blue Ox Community Radio, and a sports blog at barstoolfanatics.com.
POWER RANKINGS — Three teams standing out early
By Ray Hamill — Last year Del Norte dominated our Power Rankings all season long, holding the position from the opening week until the final game of the season. This year it […]
Exceptional defense leads Corsairs to victory in season opener
By Ray Hamill — Saturday’s season opener for College of the Redwoods was a little closer than it should have been, considering the opportunities the offense left on the field. But it […]
After a switch in venue, Hoopa, South Fork meet in double-OT game
For the second straight weekend, the Hoopa Warriors had to travel for a scheduled home game. This time, however, the journey back home was more enjoyable. On Saturday afternoon, the Warriors got […]
Five-TD day for Montana as Pioneers lose high-scoring game
Eureka’s Cruz Montana got his senior season off to an impressive start with a five-touchdown performance for Lewis & Clark on Saturday. However, it wasn’t enough for the Pioneers, who gave up […]
Fortuna boys go 4-0 at McKinleyville tournament
The Fortuna boys beat Arcata 1-0 in the championship game at the McKinleyville Invitational Soccer Tournament on Saturday. Jesus Vielma scored the only goal of the game, as the Huskies won for […]
Some more stats from Friday night’s football games
By Ray Hamill — One of the most impressive aspects of Fortuna’s shutout win on Friday night was the balanced ground attack, with eight different players combining for more than 300 yards […]
FOOTBALL ROUNDUP — Two Big 4 teams setting the early standard
By Ray Hamill — We’re now two weeks into the 2023 high school football season and so far two Big 4 teams are setting the standard for the H-DNL. The Fortuna Huskies […]
Impressive Huskies shut out the Tigers, go to 2-0
By Ray Hamill — The Fortuna Huskies scored touchdowns on four of their five first-half possessions on their way to a comfortable 34-0 win over the Arcata Tigers at Husky Field on […]
Defense dominates as St. Bernard’s wins at Willits
St. Bernard’s Wyatt Simoni continued his outstanding start to the new season at Willits on Friday night, rushing for four touchdowns in a 33-10 win. The victory lifts the Crusaders to 2-0 […]
Second-half rally lifts Wildcats past the Timberwolves
The Wildcats would not be denied against the Timberwolves on Friday night. Trailing by two touchdowns at halftime, Ferndale scored 22 unanswered points after the break on the way to a 28-20 […]
Cavemen pull away late against Del Norte in Oregon
The Del Norte Warriors gave up two late touchdowns at Grants Pass on Friday night and ended up losing 20-6 after matching the Caveman stride for stride for much of the night. […]
Former Arcata Tiger, Athlete of the Year to start for CR
By Ray Hamill — After a year at Contra Costa College, former Arcata Tiger Carson Tucker is back on the North Coast this fall and turning some heads on the football field. […]
Community interest building ahead of CR season opener
By Ray Hamill — The buzz surrounding College of the Redwoods football has been building for a while, with high expectations for the team this fall after an impressive return to action […]
Tigers, Huskies win their tournament openers at MIST
By Ray Hamill — The Arcata Tigers and Fortuna Huskies both won their opening games at the McKinleyville Invitational Soccer Tournament early Friday afternoon. Both games were decided by the narrowest of […]
Panthers get set to host eight-team MIST this weekend
By Ray Hamill — Eight teams will battle it out at the 2023 McKinleyville Invitational Soccer Tournament this weekend, as the local boys soccer season begins to build momentum. The two-day tournament […]
COLLEGE SOCCER — Corsairs, Jacks post shutout victories
It was a good day for local college soccer teams on Thursday, with road victories for both the Cal Poly Humboldt and College of the Redwoods men’s teams. Former Fortuna Husky Braiden […]
Loggers looking for better execution at Analy
By Ray Hamill — The Eureka Loggers will try to bounce back from a disappointing season opener in football when they travel to Sebastopol to play Analy on Friday night. A young […]
ATHLETES OF THE WEEK — SB senior, Tigers D stand out in openers
By Ray Hamill — Week one of the local high school football season as always gave us plenty to talk about. As expected St. Bernard’s set a physical tone in the trenches […]
Loggers have experience and youth as they look to challenge for league title
By Ray Hamill — After barely missing out on a league title in boys soccer in 2022, the Eureka Loggers are hoping to end a long championship drought this fall. This year’s […]