Kloe Bryant
Chase Bickmore
One of the most anticipated games for the Little Four took place Saturday night, and it was a game worth watching. Senior Luke Lemke and the Arcata Tigers dominated their rivals, the McKinleyville Panthers in a thrilling 62-34 win. The Tigers advance to 2-3 on the season, and open up the league 1-0.
“We’re getting better on defense, we’re struggling through our growing pains but we’re improving,” Head Coach Matt Magers said. “Thats what I’ve been saying for the last four weeks is we’ve got a lot of room to grow.”
To open the game, junior Jack Bertell snagged a long rush off the opening kick, putting the Tigers in scoring position early. Lemke brought the ball into the endzone less than one minute into the game, striking the board first.
The Panthers responded quickly, as they hurled the ball and landed it in a receiver’s arm to tie the game up, 6-6.
As soon as Lemke got the ball in the next possession, he ran it until he got caught up right before the endzone. On the next play, Lemke passed the ball off to junior Duuya Smith, where he barreled into the endzone. A successful two-point conversion from Lemke gave the Tigers a 14-6 lead after the first.
McKinleyville got the second started fast, with an immediate touchdown, but could only cut the deficit to two after failing the conversion attempt.
The Panthers weren’t done, they got a hand on a fumble from the Tigers, regaining control of the ball. They used that possession to dart into the endzone, and successfully completed the two point conversion taking the lead
Lemke answered minutes later with his second touchdown and another good conversion.
Only down by one, with 20 seconds left of the half, McKinleyville launched a long throw and was caught by a Panthers receiver, giving them a 27-22 lead at half.
The Tigers kicked off the half to the Panthers, but the Panthers could not hold on to that possession for long. Junior Ronan Williamson snagged the ball after a fumble, bringing the ball back to Arcata’s side. Lemke quickly got to work, and ran in a 40 yard touchdown, to take the lead by one.
Just like before, the Panthers lost control of the ball almost immediately. Senior Chase Bickmore leaped above the Panthers receiver, grabbing the ball for an interception.
Like clockwork, Lemke brought in another touchdown right after, and completed the conversion, ending the third 36-27.
Not even 30 seconds into the fourth, the scoring was already open up. The Panthers defense could not stop Lemke as he bolted into the endzone for the fourth time.
After not scoring since late in the second, the Panthers got back on the board with a 30 yard throwing touchdown just seconds after the Tigers, but that would be their last of the night.
To break 50, Lemke dashed right back into the endzone, and then connected with senior Danillo Fanti on the conversion.
With about three minutes left, Smith plunged through the Panthers defense to round off his scoring with his second touchdown. Smith has been interchanging as running back, as only a junior on a senior heavy team, and has put in some valuable minutes. Senior Tanner Kees, who is the Tigers other running back, also had some key rushes throughout the night.
“It’s great, it lets us get guys off the field and get them rest, it’s important [having two running backs],” Magers said.
McKinleyville’s opportunity to cut the deficit got taken right off the kick when Lemke recovered the ball and ran it, placing the Tigers in a comfortable position to score. For his seventh touchdown, the most rushed from any Arcata player, Lemke brought the ball in once more to seal off the game for the Tigers.
“To break another record at [Arcata] is pretty awesome,” Lemke said. “It’s a great feeling and I’m stoked to be leaving a legacy here.”
After a rough preseason, where the Tigers only picked up one win, they are starting out league right with a huge win against their neighboring rivals.
“It feels good going into the league feeling healthy for the first time, coming out of a tough preseason,” Magers said. “A little bit too much of a nailbiter for my blood but it’s gonna do us well.”
While in recent years McKinleyville hasn’t been a dominant team, under new coaching, the Panthers have been fighting, but not well enough to beat the Tigers.
Moving on, The Tigers will host the Hoopa Valley Warriors for their homecoming game on Friday, October 10th at 7:30 pm. The Warriors are 1-4 on the season, and are coming off a slaughtering 73-0 loss from the L4 powerhouse, Ferndale. Ferndale has been dominating the L4, but maybe with enough momentum, if the Tigers continue to prevail and stay healthy in the next games, they could have competition.