2008 Woodie Awards
Football preview
Tatiana Cummings
Issue date: 9/26/07 Section: Sports
- Page 1 of 1
The Humboldt State University football team's home opener game will be held this Saturday at 6 p.m. at the Redwood Bowl against the Dixie College Rebels.
When asked how he feels about playing the first home game, senior wide receiver Richard Perkins said, "I feel excited. People have been asking about the team and this gives them a chance to see us."
The 'Jacks bounced back after losing three consecutive games on the road, defeating the Menlo College Oaks 44-7 Saturday night in Atherton, Calif. That victory improved the 'Jacks' overall record to 1-3.
Leading the 'Jacks Saturday night with three touchdowns was running back Cornell Canidate. Travis Gibb, Edwin Henry, Nicholas Nelson, and Jeff Williams also helped contribute points.
Last season, the 'Jacks easily defeated Dixie College, throttling the Rebels to the tune of 45-7 at the Redwood Bowl.
Leading the 'Jacks that night with two touchdowns was running back Marcus Cox. Joey Stein, Henry, Darren Ross, Kyle Killingsworth, and Ben Peterson also helped drive the team to victory.
The 'Jacks entered last season's game with an overall record of 5-1, as opposed to their 1-3 start this season.
"Chemistry and team leadership" has been the difference between this season and last season, Henry said.
Perkins said that opening on the road was tough. "We lost three, but we can't focus on the past. We have to look forward. We have six more games to look forward to".
When asked what he and his teammates were looking to improve on for the first home game, Perkins said, "We're trying to just be more intense. We're just trying to put it together on the field and look like a blue-collar team."
One should keep in mind that the 'Jacks started this season playing four consecutive games on the road, losing the first three. Hopefully, the return home for the next three games will mark a shift in the season.
Even though the 'Jacks have suffered severely on the road this season, the games aren't the only things they have lost. Henry said, "We have a lot of new guys on the team. We lost team leadership and there was a lack of moral support on the road. We should do a lot better to have fans to support us".
Defensive tackle Desmond Maxwell said, "I feel playing in front of the home crowd is going to boost our moral just a bit, but we still need to mold as one and play as a single unit for the greater good of the team".
The Dixie College Rebels currently hold a season mark of 2-3 coming into Saturday night's game. The Rebels lost their most recent game against Carson-Newman College Thursday night with a score of 13-35.
Even though the 'Jacks are only averaging 16.2 points a game and the Rebels 16.8, Humboldt State's win last Saturday should give the 'Jacks the advantage they need to defeat the Rebels.
Leading the Rebels this season is running back Irvin Dallas, who has 18 touchdowns through five games. Also contributing is quarterback Ence Skyler, who leads the team in passing. Tight end Judd Thompson is the Rebels' top receiver.
"Our defense is good; we just need to be more consistent in our game and in our play," Maxwell said. "Once we start doing that we will start to make good plays."
Come out and support the 'Jacks as they play their first home game of the season Saturday at 6 p.m. at the Redwood Bowl.
Tatiana Cummings can be reached at trc21@humboldt.edu
When asked how he feels about playing the first home game, senior wide receiver Richard Perkins said, "I feel excited. People have been asking about the team and this gives them a chance to see us."
The 'Jacks bounced back after losing three consecutive games on the road, defeating the Menlo College Oaks 44-7 Saturday night in Atherton, Calif. That victory improved the 'Jacks' overall record to 1-3.
Leading the 'Jacks Saturday night with three touchdowns was running back Cornell Canidate. Travis Gibb, Edwin Henry, Nicholas Nelson, and Jeff Williams also helped contribute points.
Last season, the 'Jacks easily defeated Dixie College, throttling the Rebels to the tune of 45-7 at the Redwood Bowl.
Leading the 'Jacks that night with two touchdowns was running back Marcus Cox. Joey Stein, Henry, Darren Ross, Kyle Killingsworth, and Ben Peterson also helped drive the team to victory.
The 'Jacks entered last season's game with an overall record of 5-1, as opposed to their 1-3 start this season.
"Chemistry and team leadership" has been the difference between this season and last season, Henry said.
Perkins said that opening on the road was tough. "We lost three, but we can't focus on the past. We have to look forward. We have six more games to look forward to".
When asked what he and his teammates were looking to improve on for the first home game, Perkins said, "We're trying to just be more intense. We're just trying to put it together on the field and look like a blue-collar team."
One should keep in mind that the 'Jacks started this season playing four consecutive games on the road, losing the first three. Hopefully, the return home for the next three games will mark a shift in the season.
Even though the 'Jacks have suffered severely on the road this season, the games aren't the only things they have lost. Henry said, "We have a lot of new guys on the team. We lost team leadership and there was a lack of moral support on the road. We should do a lot better to have fans to support us".
Defensive tackle Desmond Maxwell said, "I feel playing in front of the home crowd is going to boost our moral just a bit, but we still need to mold as one and play as a single unit for the greater good of the team".
The Dixie College Rebels currently hold a season mark of 2-3 coming into Saturday night's game. The Rebels lost their most recent game against Carson-Newman College Thursday night with a score of 13-35.
Even though the 'Jacks are only averaging 16.2 points a game and the Rebels 16.8, Humboldt State's win last Saturday should give the 'Jacks the advantage they need to defeat the Rebels.
Leading the Rebels this season is running back Irvin Dallas, who has 18 touchdowns through five games. Also contributing is quarterback Ence Skyler, who leads the team in passing. Tight end Judd Thompson is the Rebels' top receiver.
"Our defense is good; we just need to be more consistent in our game and in our play," Maxwell said. "Once we start doing that we will start to make good plays."
Come out and support the 'Jacks as they play their first home game of the season Saturday at 6 p.m. at the Redwood Bowl.
Tatiana Cummings can be reached at trc21@humboldt.edu
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