Rook happy to be back on North Coast

DNHS alum walks on at Humboldt St.

Former Del Norte High School gridiron standout Trevor Rook is back on the North Coast and hoping to become a contributor on the Humboldt State University football team this fall.

Rook, who played two years at Shasta College in Redding, mainly at running back, red-shirted last fall at Malone University in Canton, Ohio, and is excited to be playing football again a little more than an hour away from his hometown.

“Everything is going good for me,” he said. “I like that it’s close to home and my family can come and watch me play.”

Rook walked-on with the Lumberjacks and participated in spring practice at running back.

Humboldt, which finished 8-3 last year, is deep at running back, so Rook said that it will be a challenge to move up the roster and see playing time.

He said that he’s ready to make his mark and help his new team.

“I was able to show them what I can do,” Rook said about spring practice. “They told me to be ready to compete in the fall.”

In fall camp, Rook will be battling for the No. 4 running back spot and hopes to contribute on special teams if called upon.

Only the top four running backs on the depth chart travel with the team on the road, so Rook, who will be a red-shirt junior, said that it would be a nice accomplishment to earn that spot, and it is a major goal of his.

A 2008 Del Norte High graduate, Rook was a huge factor in the Warriors’ three straight conference title wins. In 2006, he was named the Big 5 offensive player of the year. In 2007, Rook rushed for 950 yards and 14 touchdowns and was named defensive player of the year in the Big 5 as a defensive back.

At Shasta in 2009, Rook rushed for 234 yards and three touchdowns.

Rook said that at Malone, he did not see eye-to-eye with his offensive coordinator and that overall, it was not the best experience.

“It was not the right fit for me,” Rook said. This made him decide to leave Malone and try his luck at Humboldt, where he registrered as a student earlier this year.

He is pleased to be back in the area and at HSU. Rook said that he is enjoying the school and playing football again.

“I’m just happy to be here,” Rook said. “It’s a better fit and a better atmosphere for me.”

He will be joined this fall at HSU by Del Norte Warrior senior Brandon Kakitsuka, a slot receiver. Kakitsuka recently received a roster spot with the Lumberjacks.