JV squad off to a great 2011

Members of the Del Norte Warrior junior varsity football team celebrate after defeating Hidden Valley, Ore., 41-0, last Friday in Crescent City.The Daily Triplicate/Bryant Anderson

Last Friday, the Warriors proved they were a totally different team in 2011, downing Hidden Valley 41-0 in Crescent City in the season opener.

This included the defense holding the Mustangs to under 100 total yards of offense.

Meet on Sat. in Ferndale

Senior fullback Austin Moore runs down the field as his teammates block for him against Hidden Valley, Ore., last Friday at home. On Saturday Del Norte travels down to Ferndale to face the Wildcats at 2 p.m. The Daily Triplicate/Bryant Anderson

After all, this week’s opponent ––  Ferndale of the Little 4 Conference –– may not seem that intimidating at first when only 17 players will take the field Saturday.

In comparison, Del Norte will suit up 34 players when it travels down to the Wildcats’ home field.

But size has never stopped the Wildcats, who have been a football power for years despite being a school of less than 200 students. They defeated Del Norte the last two years, 47-6 in 2009 in Crescent City and 20-13 last season in Ferndale.

DN boys soccer team looking to improve this year

Jesus Herrera kicks the ball while pursued by Brandon Bloyd during a Del Norte High soccer practice on Tuesday. The Warriors opened the season on Wednesday against fellow Humboldt-Del Norte Conference team McKinleyville on the road. For more photos, go to triplicate.com/photos.The Daily Triplicate/Bryant Anderson

The second-year head coach took over the program only a few weeks before the start of the season in 2010. While the team finished with a winning record at 8-7-1, Sanyaolu believes it is capable of more and hopes it can be more competitive and sport a better mark in the Humboldt-Del Norte Conference.

Orignally from Nigeria and a math teacher at Del Norte High, Sanyaolu grew up with the sport and believes that if the team can play smart, fundamental soccer that focuses on teamwork, hustle and crisp passing, positive results should follow.

First game of the year for Warriors

The Del Norte High boys soccer team opened the season on the road with a 2-2 tie against fellow Humboldt-Del Norte Conference opponent McKinleyville Wednesday night.

On the girls side, the Warriors lost their season opener to the Panthers 5-0 on the road.

David Sanyaolu, the boys soccer head coach said that Del Norte had five scoring chances, including a one-on-one situation between the McKinleyville goalie and a Warrior player, but could not capitalize.

Collin Taylor scored 5 TDs in the opener

Collin Taylor on the sideline during his five-touchdown game. The Daily Triplicate/Bryant Anderson

When your running back goes off for five touchdowns, you know it’s a good night.

Senior running back Collin Taylor rumbled for 250 rushing yards, including an 80-yard touchdown run, as the Warriors clobbered Hidden Valley, Ore., 60-7.

Opens season Sat. at Yreka tourney

New Del Norte High varsity volleyball head coach Robyn Parker tapes up the sprained thumb of Marissa Van Dyke during practice on Tuesday. Del Norte opens the season on Saturday at a tournament in Yreka. For more photos, go to triplicate.com/photos.The Daily Triplicate/Rick Postal

For 21 straight years the Warriors were conference champions. That streak was broken in 2010 when Del Norte lost the title to McKinleyville and finished in second place with a 5-3 Big 5 record and 10-12 overall.

Senior setter Blaire Lopez said that having the streak broken was not an easy pill to swallow.

“It was really disappointing to be on the team that lost the title after 21 years,” she said. “We hope to come back. I know we can do it.” 

Opens season on Friday at home versus Mustangs

Del Norte Warrior senior running back Collin Taylor rushes down the field during the Blue and Gold scrimmage on Aug. 19 at the high school. The Daily Triplicate/Bryant Anderson

With 16 seniors bringing veteran leadership, a strong running game and offensive line and an experienced defense, second-year varsity head coach Ray Rook is optimistic.

Last year, Rook said, “the system I wanted to run was in my head. Now it’s been established and we’re building on it and getting better.”

Warriors football team scrimmages

Ray Rook likes where his team is at as the 2011 Del Norte Warrior football season gets under way this week.

Rook, in his second year as varsity head coach, had good things to say about his squad after it took part in the annual Humboldt-Del Norte Conference Jamboree at Fortuna High on Friday night.

“I would say that overall we did well,” he said. “The thing I was most pleased with was that we made plays on both sides of the ball, our tempo was good and we made very few mental errors.”

Teams from local youth league win big at championship

Award-winning local bowlers include, standing from left, Justin Cramer, David Calleja, Spencer Gullickson, Tanner Walker and Scott Sousa, and seated, Robert Krivanek. Not pictured are Matt Mattz and Gabino Calleja. For more photos, go to triplicate.com/photos The Daily Triplicate/Rick Postal

Two teams from the Tsunami Junior Bowling League, Ray’s Waves and Tsunami Strikers, consisting of boys 13-17, competed in the 2011 California State Youth Championships last month in a two-day event in Yuba City and Oroville.

Ray’s Waves took first out of 40 teams in the 580-679 handicapped division with a score of 2,975 and earned $336 in scholarship money.