Best Passing Performance Yet for Cubs in Loss to Ferndale

South Fork High’s Varsity Football team fell 59-12 to the visiting Ferndale Wildcats in Miranda last Friday night, but sophomore quarterback CJ Van Meter threw for a season and career-high 172 yards, giving the coaches and fans a preview of the team’s potential for success in the 8-man formation they will be adopting next year.

“With a banged up backfield I knew we’d be throwing the ball a lot, and it was great to see what CJ could do,” said head coach Andy Olsen. Van Meter, just back to full health after an injury had him on light duty last week, completed 12 of 32 passes, and hit 6 different receivers. “We have a lot of weapons,” added Olsen. “If it wasn’t for Ferndale’s tight pass coverage causing us to drop a few, we’d have gained another 40-50 passing yards.”

On senior night it was fitting that senior Ipo Savoie got “his first big reception of the year,” according to Olsen when he earned the Cubs a 34-yard gain on a catch he made surrounded by Wildcat defenders.

The Cubs first touchdown came late in the 3nd quarter when freshman defensive end Elijah Roberts sacked the Ferndale quarterback and caused a fumble that was alertly picked up by the speedy junior defensive lineman Aaron Etherton who sprinted the 35 yards into the endzone.

The Cubs scored again late in the game. When they found themselves on the Ferndale 31 on 4th down and 15, Olsen called a trick play.  Van Meter sent a short pass to junior running back Scott Coffelt who immediately attracted Ferndale’s entire defense, leaving wide receiver Ryder Pfau wide open downfield to make the second catch of the play on a pass from Coffelt. Pfau evaded one tackle and ran the ball into the endzone for the score.

Besides Savoie, the Cubs honored two other seniors playing in their final home game last Friday. Offensive and defensive lineman Justin Michael is in his fourth season of varsity football and has been battling and playing through injury all season. Offensive and defensive lineman Joseph Peralta is in his 3rd year, second year on varsity. Savoie, who can play a variety of positions, has played all four years of his high school career, 3 on varsity.

Olsen also had praise for sophomore lineman Dusty Rodas as well as Van Meter and Pfau on defense.

This Friday the Cubs will travel to Hoopa for their best chance at a win so far this season. “We played them very well last time and we are throwing the ball much better now,” said Olsen. “We have a shot.”

Heading into week 9 of the 10-week season a win would feel great to the Cubs who are now 0-8 over all and 0-3 on the Humboldt Del Norte Little Four Conference. Kick off will be at 7:30 Friday night at Hoopa Valley High School.