The jamboree, which was held this year at Arcata High School, gave the Warriors a chance to runs plays on both offense and defense against their fellow three teams from the Big 4 Conference.

While only a glorified scrimmage, the event plays a key role for the team each year to get an early look at the Big 4 competition and see where they stand a few weeks before the regular season begins.

New Warrior head coach Bob Hadfield said he was pleased that “everyone got to play” and had a chance to see the field. Hadfield said that  overall it was “certainly not bad” although “nothing stood out.” But, nothing “terribly weak” occurred either, he said.

“It’s good practice,” he said about the jamboree, adding the real test will begin with the squad’s first game of the year on Sept. 11 at home against Hidden Valley, Ore.

A participant at the Driving for Heathcare golf tournament gets ready to hit a ball on August 15. (Submitted photo)

List of winners from  Driving for Healthcare

The Driving for Heathcare 2009 golf tournament took place at the Del Norte Golf Course recently.

The event, which was held on Aug. 15 was presented by the Elk Valley Rancheria in partnership with Wild Rivers Community Foundation

A total of  $20,000 was raised.

Russ Burnett trains for his next triathlon. The Daily Triplicate/Bryant Anderson

After years of trying, and coming tantalizingly close last year, Burnett has fulfilled his goal of earning a berth in the Super Bowl of triathlons, the Ironman World Championship in Kona on the Big Island of Hawaii in October.

Burnett, 62, who has been competing in triathlons since 1984, earned the opportunity to compete in Hawaii by finishing third in his age division at the Ford Ironman Coeur d’Alene in northern Idaho in June.

“That was a pretty awesome feeling,” Burnett said. “I’ve been dreaming about doing this for years since I started back in 1984.”

 A normal Ironman event consists of a 2.4-mile swim, a 112-mile bike ride and a 26.2 mile marathon.

He performed well enough in Idaho to compete in Hawaii in October. Submitted Photo

That meant Burnett earned the chance to compete.

It meant a lot to him, Burnett said, especially since he came so close in Idaho last year by placing second. At the time, he thought his chance had likely passed him by.

“Making it has always been in the back of my mind,” he said.

See related story here.

After being only a duathlon last year due to a major renovation at the Fred Endert Municipal Pool, the swimming portion of the local triathlon competition returns this year.

Coordinator Russ Burnett, who has been part of the event since its inception, said all involved are excited about the 25th edition of the race.

The accomplished triathlete considers the local event a perfect way for those who might not normally take part in longer triathlons to do a shorter triathlon.

Burnett said event attracts participants from Humboldt County and Oregon, as well as  Del Norte County.

“It’s a really nice race course,” Burnett said. “People enjoy the scenery. You can’t beat the view while going down Pebble Beach Drive.”

•What: Crescent City Triathlon

•When: Races start at 8:30 a.m. Sunday. Day-of-race packet pickup begins at 6 a.m.

•Where: Fred Endert Municipal Pool, 1000 Play Drive.

•Information: Call Back County Bikes at 465-3995 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .

•Registration: Entry forms are available at Fred Endert Municipal Pool, Back County Bicycles, or online at racecenter.com. Last-minute registrations will be accepted on the day of the race.

B.C. Lions quarterback Buck Pierce during a game earlier this year. The Lions are currently 2-4. Photo courtesy of the BC Lions/ Kyle Clapham

One day your team is on top of the world, and the fans think the players and coaches practically walk on water. But the next thing you know the situation looks bleak after a losing streak and the pundits and fans are asking for  everyone’s head on a platter despite previous success. At that point the “what have you done for me lately” scenario comes into play.

Buck Pierce, the former Del Norte High Warriors signal caller  from Gasquet, is experiencing this situation first hand as the starting quarterback for the British Columbia Lions of the Canadian Football League.

But to Pierce, that just goes with being the face of a pro team as a starting quarterback.

“It goes with the territory,” Pierce, 27, said during a phone interview from Vancouver on Tuesday. “Pro football is a tough game. It’s a tough occupation.”

As the starting QB for a pro squad, Pierce said that “you get a lot of the good and a lot of the bad, but I enjoy what I’m doing up here,”

Former Del Norte High wide receiver Cody Hoffman, above, during a game last season. The true freshman has just begun fall football camp with the BYU Cougars of the Mountain West Conference. Triplicate file photo.

While the overall consensus is that it’s still too early to say with certainty if Hoffman, 18, a wide receiver, will contribute this year or perhaps redshirt, what has been made clear is that many folks believe that this true freshman has potential. Fall practice began in Provo, Utah, on Saturday.

BYU is a consistent top 25 team and opens the season on Sept. 5 against Oklahoma, which played in the BCS title game last season, at the new stadium of the Dallas Cowboys.

In an audio interview on ksl.com, BYU wideouts coach Patrick Higgins briefly talked about Hoffman.

“Cody Hoffman’s got a lot of pure natural ability. He is just  learning how to be more efficient in his route running.” Higgins said.

In a phone interview with The  Triplicate on Tuesday, former Del Norte quarterback Buck Pierce, currently the starting quarterback for the British Columbia Lions of the Canadian Football League, talked about Hoffman. A story on Pierce and his season so far with the Lions will run in The Triplicate on Thursday.

The girls soccer team will have practices and tryouts during two-a-days from 8 a.m. to  10 a.m. and 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. starting Monday

The girls tennis team is having practices and tryouts starting on Monday from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.