Warriors end regular season on Friday at Mack

Game begins at 7:30 p.m.

Del Norte High sophomore Aaron Fitch throws the ball against Arcata last Friday at Mike Whalen Field. Del Norte Triplicate/Bryant Anderson

If the 6-3 Warriors win they will almost certainly earn a berth in the Northcoast Section Division III playoffs. The team is 3-3 overall in the Big 5 Conference.

Head coach Ray Rook is not looking that far ahead and said the team’s focus is on defeating the Panthers.

“We need to keep playing hard and competing on the field,” he said.

In their first meeting in September in Crescent City, Del Norte crushed McKinleyville 42-0. The Panthers come in with a 2-7 record and are winless in the Big 5.

Last Friday at home, Del Norte came back from a 6-0 halftime deficit to defeat Arcata 20-12.

Rook said that the game was a huge confidence booster for a squad that had a three-game losing streak.

“It was a good win for us,” Rook said. “It’s easier to play as a winner than being on a losing streak.”

While the Panthers have struggled, Rook said he hopes his team knows better than to look past McKinleyville on its senior night.

“They have a great coaching staff and are athletic,” Rook said. “They have nothing to lose.”

Rook expects a great effort from the Panthers and said if Del Norte does not play well that could spell trouble regardless of how things came out the last time they played.

Rook said the Warriors must continue to keep penalties down and play smart, disciplined football.

On defense they need to “just tackle, turn the ball back, and pursue,” he said.

On offense, Del Norte has to continue to run the ball, which has been a strength all year, and use its solid passing game to get down the field, Rook said.

On the injury front, star running back Collin Taylor may sit out this week.

The previous three games he has been battling a muscle strain   and has played sparingly.

He came into the game in the second half last week and was a spark, scoring a touchdown, his 20th of the year, and rushing for 61 yards.

Rook said Taylor will be a game time decision and Del Norte  may rest him so he can be as healthy as possible if the Warriors make the playoffs.

Starting quarterback Julian Markussen did not play until the second half last week due to an injury suffered the week before, but he still threw for two touchdowns.

Rook said it appears Marksssun is healthy this week, but the coach plans to proceed cautiously.

Rook said in the end, the players need to come together and have the desire to end the regular season with a victory.

“We need to go down there, play well  and come away with a win,” he said.

The junior varsity team, which is 7-2 for the season, plays the Panthers at 5 p.m. The varsity game begins at 7:30 p.m.