SOUR END FOR EUREKA, DEL NORTE FINISHES UNDEFEATED
The fall 2021 football season ended on two very different notes for Eureka High School and Del Norte High School following their Friday night clash in Crescent City.
Del Norte’s boys completed their undefeated conference run by holding down the Loggers 42-0 in Friday night’s sole game in the Humboldt-Del Norte league’s Big 4 circuit.
The result leaves the Warriors with an overall 8-1 record and a 6-0 record in Big 4 conference play. The win links eight in a row for the team as it heads into the CIF North Coast Sectionals.
On their end, Eureka High finishes the season with a 2-7 overall record and a 1-5 record in Big 4 matchups.
First-year head coach and EHS alumni Andrew Haraldson guided the team through a season with challenges both inside and outside the field throughout the season.
Despite the adverse run, Haraldson spoke highly of his players.
“This season was a challenge. I’m proud of our boys who stuck it out to the end. These kids were given bad news every week of (the) season, and at times it felt like every day. Every time we lost a player or a coach someone had an opportunity to step up, and a lot of these guys did so with courage,” he told the Times-Standard.
Friday night’s result comes after last week’s loss at the hands of cross-town rivals St. Bernard’s Academy, in which a win would have kept the Loggers in contention for a playoff berth coming into the duel at Del Norte.
The Eureka coach believes the team did not bring enough energy and passion to the field in its last two games.
“Our No. 1 purpose in our football program is to help build young men of character and integrity. That includes approaching the game the right way. We as a team haven’t done that the last two weeks. There are valuable lessons to be learned for both players and coaches through our journey this year, but we definitely feel we underachieved,” Haraldson said.
Despite the attitude and skills of the team in front of them, Del Norte has been the conference’s powerhouse team this season, with several blowout wins.
On the field Friday night, an oppressive DNHS defense thwarted Eureka’s attempts at making it down the field by air and land. Overall, the Loggers moved the chains three yards on 15 runs.
Conversely, the Warriors made long, constant gains on the ground. Running back RJ Loftin racked up 170 yards on three touchdown runs alone. The junior-year player posted a total 193 recorded yards over seven carries.
Giancarlo De Solenni reached the end zone on a 58-yard sprint, while sophomore Caden Harrison ran the final touchdown of the game, making a successful 10-yard scramble to further his team’s lead.
Senior-year player Caleb Dodson carried the ball seven times for a total 76 terrestrial yards.
Quarterback Cooper Maxwell threw a 67-yard touchdown pass caught by De Solenni to record a scoring pass.
In their last encounter this season under the lights at Eureka High’s Albee Field, the Warriors came out on top 27-14. The Loggers went toe to toe with their visitors during a physical first half, but a second half surge by Del Norte’s offense sealed the game’s outcome.
Friday’s shutout was the third of the season for DNHS’ varsity side, with strong defense holding back the Fortuna High Huskies 34-0 and 40-0 in their fall 2021 clashes at home and on the road.
Del Norte is awaiting its seed and next opponent in the CIF North Coast Section playoffs, which are expected by Sunday.
Redding’s Enterprise High handed the Warriors their only defeat of the season in a nonconference game in the opening week of the season.