Tag: Jacks football

Like father like son

Football player keeps legacy alive

Humboldt State sophomore linebacker and Lumberjacks team captain Demetrick Watts II was named Great Northwest Athletic Conference defensive player of the week, Oct. 8, for his performance against Simon Fraser.

The six-foot 225-pound run stopper and pass protector stifled the Simon Fraser offense, with 8 tackles, 1 for a loss, a sack, and the eventual game-winning fumble recovery in the end zone for a touchdown.

“It brought me back to high school,” Watts said. “It was a beautiful feeling and getting GNAC defensive player means everything to me.”

Watts’ touchdown against Simon Fraser wasn’t the first of his career. A young Watts always wanted to be an NFL star.

“He had passion as a seven-year-old,” Watts’ grandmother, Barbera Numan said. “He needs to keep swinging those doors open and stay motivated like he is and I believe it’s possible.”

At Hillcrest High School in Riverside, California, Watts stood out as a two-way player. His running back strength and quickness showed through his original offensive position. On defense, he was the best linebacker in the league winning MVP twice. Watts also earned All-River Valley League Honors and the Athlete of the Year Award for the Citrus Belt League in 2015.

Like the love for football, Watts shares many things with his father, including his name. Watts’ father passed away when he was a freshman at Hillcrest High. His passing was due to a blood clot in his leg. Watts moved in with his grandmother who lived down the street and continued at Hillcrest for the remainder of high school.

“His dad was also an athlete,” Numan said. “He played football at Sonoma State. But you know, he had a family and he lost the vision. He was a family man now.”

Watts’ father worked with him on drills, conditioning, and different aspects of what it meant to be an athlete, let alone a football player. They were very close, his father helped mold Watts both on and off the field.

“Demetrick won many awards but he was always so humble,” Numan said. “That made me happy. He was a positive child, and became a respectful adult.”

Coming into Humboldt State, Watts redshirted his freshman year but was always at practice and his favorite spot, the weight room. The recreation administration major would routinely be in the gym for two-a-days. Coaches talk about the discipline and work ethic behind Watts, and how much time he puts in off the clock.

“Monday is my ideal day, I get my big lifts in,” Watts said. “Getting my legs under me and grounded makes me feel great.”

Samuel Barfield, Watts’ cousin, was an incoming freshman this year and plays tight end for the Jacks. Sam is new to football, playing mostly basketball, but he still loves the sport.

Barfield gets to witness the daily grind of Watts’ work ethic and looks up to him as his older cousin. Football became an avenue to help Barfield get out of the crime area of Riverside that they both call home. He thanks his older cousin for this.

“I’ve always wanted to play aside my cousin,” Barfield said. “Whatever he does I want to copy. I know I’ll be good if I follow him. Our city is bad right now. People don’t get out and football is all we got.”

Just like Watts, Barfield plans to continue his football career at another university considering Humboldt State recently decided to cut the program due to financial issues.

“I love football and I put my everything into this,” Watts said.

The Humboldt State Lumberjacks will play their very last football game Saturday, Nov. 3 at the Redwood Bowl against rival Azusa Pacific at 1 p.m. The seniors will be honored in remembrance of their journey here as a Jack.

Wednesday, October 31, 2018
New coaches, same support system

Failure is not an option for coach Mason Mitchell. He plans on pushing the football program in the right direction with the continuous support of the community and the Humboldt State University student body.

“It is more than just being able to put something on your resume,” Mitchell said. “I am here to help push this program in the right direction, and help continue its success.”

Mitchell was hired as the defensive line coach on March 22 by interim head coach Damaro Wheeler. He was previously at American River College in Sacramento, where he helped more than 45 defensive linemen move onto the four-year level within a five year time period.

As of the 2018 spring semester, the Lumberjacks have hired three new coaches and six others have volunteered to help coach throughout spring ball, and possibly the fall season.

These volunteer coaches have been out on the field at 6 a.m. several times a week to help conduct spring practices. They have also been in the football offices daily to help with logistics for the success of the program.

The work that they have already put in has shadowed the commitment from the community in fall of 2017 in keeping the program alive and successful.

Lucas Govan has volunteered with the Lumberjacks since fall 2017, and is an HSU alum.

“The comradery that comes with [HSU Football] is special,” Govan said. “There is no place really like it.”

As a former Jacks player, he mentions how neither the players nor coaches would be where they are, and as successful as they are, if it weren’t for the support from the community and student body.

The Lumberjacks hold a very reliable stance with their community, alumni and student body, given that they have helped sell out the Redwood Bowl and raised $500,000 during a time of need.

“I was a lead in trying to raise the money,” HSU alum and booster Jim Redd said, “but there were about 250 donors that came up with the $500,000.”

It is the 250 donors who made it possible for these young men to get back in the Redwood Bowl this spring, as well as allowing the new coaches to step in and pick things right back up in preparation for a successful fall 2018 season.

After a successful inter-squad spring game, The Lumberjacks will take a quick summer vacation before they begin to prepare for their first season game in Wichita Falls, Texas against Midwestern State University on Sep. 1.

“We want everyone to continue to come out and support us,” Mitchell said, “But with that, we want them all to understand how important their support is for us.”

Wednesday, April 25, 2018
Defense dominates the spring
The Lumberjacks and their fans took over the Redwood Bowl April 21 for their annual intersquad Green & Gold Scrimmage. Defense suited up in their green home jerseys while offense suited up in their away white jerseys.

“I thought [defense] was successful,” coach Wheeler said. “They were fundamentally sound, which caused all of the turnovers.”

Defense finished the scrimmage with a total of four interceptions and one fumble recovery. They only let offense score two touchdowns and won the scrimmage 35-14.

“I knew the ball was in my hands,” defensive back Alonzo Davis said. “Once I got tackled, I got up hyped and knew this was my game.”

Davis had the first interception of the scrimmage and as a Lumberjack. Davis is a freshman and will be joining the Jacks for his first official collegiate season in fall 2018.

Defensive back Herman Ochoa picked up another interception, along with linebacker Demetrick Watts who walked away with two interceptions and the most stops on defense.

“The whole game I just knew that wherever the ball was was where I had to be,” Watts said.

Watts is a redshirt sophomore who is looking forward to the fall season and watching all of their hard work in the weight room and during practice pay off.

Although offense struggled to finish in the end zone, running backs Jonathan Branch and Tyree Marzetta helped put some points on the board.

“Offense is coming along,” coach Wheeler said. “They had a few big plays and I thought it was a competitive game on both sides.”

The stands of the Redwood Bowl held enough fans on Saturday to create an encouraging and supportive atmosphere for the Jacks. They get a little vacation before things kick off for their first season game at Midwestern State on Sept. 1.

“Our energy was good,” coach Wheeler said, “and these [young men] had fun, but most importantly, we came out healthy.”

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Photos by Garrett Goodnight.
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Tuesday, April 24, 2018
Jacks ball appoints coach White as interim coach

A new leader has been chosen to usher the Lumberjacks football team into the 2018 season.

Jacks offensive line coach Cory White has officially been given the title of Humboldt State’s interim head football coach, as announced at a press conference on Jan. 29.

Coach White was a student athlete at HSU about 17 years ago and never did he think he would find his way back in the program on the other side of the table.

“I am an alum,” White said. “I am a Jack. I was once too sitting in those meeting rooms, listening to the head coach, competing on the field and really never thought I would be in these shoes today.”

Coach White has 14 years of experience coaching college football. He has coached at every level including Division II, Division III and junior college. Before coming to HSU in the fall of 2016, coach White was the director of football operations at Division I Football Bowl Subdivision in New Mexico State for a year.

Along with coach White, interim athletic director Duncan Robins is greatly contributing to the work being done in keeping the normalcy of the football program for current student athletes.

“Not only do we have a strong coaching staff,” Robins said, “but everyone is comfortable with Cory leading them, so this interim position was a natural one to offer to Cory and he has accepted.”

Robins is specifically hired by collegiate athletic programs to improve their organization. He was hired at HSU during June of last year and his first task was to figure out what the budgets looked like.

After several months of Robins and HSU President Lisa Rossbacher trying to figure out whether or not the football program could be saved, it was announced the program would be back for another year with the help of outstanding boosters.

“We have a recruiting effort going on,” Robins said. “We have spring season being planned, we have a 10-game fall season waiting for us and our student athletes have some normalcy to their daily routines.”

Both White and Robins expressed their thanks for previous head football coach Rob Smith for all of the hard work and recognition he has brought to the football program.

Smith announced his resignation in a press conference a few weeks ago. Jan. 30 would have marked Smith’s 10th year as Jacks head football coach.

“There is a reason why coach Smith was here for 10 years,” White said. “This is a place of longevity.”

Senior linebacker Connor Cox has played for the Jacks since his first year in 2015. He is an Arcata native and attended Arcata High School just before coming to HSU.

“Nothing has really changed for us,” Cox said. “We are up every morning, like all prior years, doing the same workouts and putting in the same effort.”

With a strong football program still in route for the fall 2018 season, coach White plans on working to make this whole endeavor worth it.

“Humboldt football is here to stay,” White said.

Wednesday, January 31, 2018
Cappa shines in Alabama

Jacks star left tackle gearing up for NFL draft in April.

Humboldt State University football player Alex Cappa tore down the house at the 69th annual Reese’s Senior Bowl on Jan. 27 in Mobile, Alabama.

This year’s match-up featured top NFL prospects from around the country. The game was located at Ladd-Peebles Stadium aired on the NFL Network.

“I had a lot of fun being out there,” Cappa said. “It was great representing HSU and smaller schools.”

“There were a few (NCAA) Division II guys out there and I tried showing them that all guys, at all levels, are able to compete against anybody.”

Cappa has earned a series of accomplishments while starting at left tackle over the past four years at HSU.

Not only was Cappa a finalist for the Gene Upshaw Award, he also earned his fourth consecutive Great Northwest Atlantic Conference Offensive Lineman of the Year Award in 2017.

The biggest factor for the left tackle position in the NFL is the player’s ability to pass, block and stop the defensive end from getting to the quarterback.

At 6 feet and 7 inches, scouts are questioning if Cappa’s ability to protect the quarterback from elusive pass rushers will translate on the big stage.

“The critics aren’t paying attention because he throws them out the club, regardless of how fast or strong they are,” HSU senior right guard Robert Williams said. “His football IQ is insanely high. All he has to do is use his right or left hand and he’ll toss you.”

Cappa started the game at left guard. Eventually, he played the left tackle and right guard positions for the South Team. They went on to win 45-16, thanks to the help of University of Richmond QB Kyle Lauletta, who threw three passing touchdowns.

Potential draftees will most likely participate at the NFL Scouting Combine event, which is hosted from Feb. 27 to March 5. The NFL Draft will then take place on April 26-28 in Arlington, Texas.

According to Sports Blog Nation: Stampede Blue, Cappa could be chosen before the end of the second draft day.

“It’s gonna be exciting no matter what,” Emily Morehead, Cappa’s partner of nearly seven years, said. “His draft is during my finals period. So, all I hope is that he gets that phone call while I’m not in a final.”

Regardless of the round that Cappa is drafted, he will always be a legend at HSU.

Tuesday, January 30, 2018
This week in sports history

The San Francisco 49ers beat the Cincinnati Bengals 26-21 in Super Bowl XVI on Jan. 24, 1982. This was the first of San Francisco’s five total Super Bowl championships that they would win in the next 15 years.

The first ever college basketball game was played on Jan. 27, 1894. The University of Chicago beat Chicago YMCA 19-11.

Jan. 30 will mark the 10-year anniversary of Jacks head
football coach Rob Smith’s hiring. Smith has earned the conference’s
Coach of the Year award four times and guided Humboldt State University to national
recognition since being hired in 2008.

Monday, January 22, 2018
The Jacks fall to Central Washington

The Jacks say goodbye to its 2017 season and potentially the Redwood Bowl after a tough loss of 42-28 against No. 7 Central Washington (10-0). The game was aired on ESPN3 and will go down in the books as a game day to remember for both its ups and its downs.

“That’s a good football team,” Coach Smith said. “They are going to represent our conference very well in the playoffs.”

Photo credit: Ian Thompson

Central Washington’s 21-0 lead within the first 10 minutes of the game made it difficult for the Jacks to run through the rest of the game.

At the start of the second half sophomore Davaeon Johnson attempted to turn the game around with a returned 77-yard touchdown picked off of Central Washington QB Reilly Hennessey.

On the Jack’s next possession of the ball, a trick play featured a backward pass to senior Chase Krivashei which was then thrown to Jamere Austin in the end zone for a 37-yard touchdown pass, putting the Jack’s back on the board with a score of 35-21.

“It was a good momentum boost,” Johnson said, “we scored 14 points unanswered, but it just wasn’t enough.”

The Jacks needed the victory to have a chance in the Division II playoffs. Central Washington will represent the conference with their likely earned No. 1 seed.

“Even in this game we were behind,” Senior Alex Cappa said, “but we continued to fight, just like the whole year, and I think that really exemplifies what our team is about.”

The No. 16 Jacks finished the season with an 8-2 overall record and a 6-2 record in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference. Despite the road blocks, the Jacks pulled through and had what many would consider a very accomplishing season.

Unfortunately, The Jack’s football program is looking at a possible cut for reasons several supporters have yet to understand.

Shamir Geisinger (#29) of the wildcats dives to the end zone for a touchdown during the fourth quarter at the HSU Redwood bowl during the November 11 game. Photo credit: Ian Thompson

“I don’t think anyone fully understands how difficult it has been to function daily with this cloud hanging over our heads,” Coach Rob Smith said. “There is a decision looming, and some people could possibly be very hurt by it.”

President Lisa Rossbacher spoke to public on Monday, about the facts and prolonged decision of the Jack’s program. She pushed the decision for HSU Football and it’s destiny to December 1. Hurting potential recruiting efforts for the Jacks if the team were able to continue next fall.

The possible cut made senior night even more bittersweet for the 24 seniors that may never get to return to the Redwood Bowl with the same football spirits.

“We just tried to stay focused,” Senior Robert Webber said, “there is not much we can do about the outside noise. We try to keep it within the locker room and play for each other.”

Head Coach Rob Smith continues to feel kindly about the hard work and dedication these boys have put in since January.

“There is always an end to what you do,” Coach Smith said. “You don’t put in the work that we do unless you truly love what it is that you are doing.”

Tuesday, November 14, 2017
Jacks Ball dominates Western Oregon

By | Keaundrey Clark

The Lumberjacks have faced a tough Western Oregon squad for the second time this season, a rowdy Redwood Bowl on the edge of their seats during the team’s amazing 42-32 victory against the Wolves.

The first game against the Wolves came down to a missed extra point. This time the Jacks knew they had to come out stronger.

“We had to come out and play our game,” said All-American tailback Ja’Quan Gardner.

Gardner played his usual brand of Jacks Ball as he carried the ball 35 times for 215-yards and three touchdowns.

Ja’Quan Gardner diving into the end zone. | Ian Benjamin Finnegan Thompson

“It’s another win for the Jacks,” said Gardner.

A minute didn’t even tick off the scoreboard as the Senior Quarterback Robert Webber connected with Senior Marjani Ellison for a 53-yard touchdown reception. The Jacks would come back a few minutes later with a 17-yard Gardner touchdown run.

Humboldt State’s offensive line led by All-American and NFL prospect Senior Alex Cappa controlled and dominated all night long.

“We were able to limit mistakes from the last game,” said Cappa It’s about executing our assignment and doing what we do.”

Up 14-0, Western Oregon got into the endzone with a one-yard score from quarterback Phillip Fenumiai. A field goal and 90-yard punt-return for a touchdown later and the Wolves rattled off 21-straight points to take the team.

Gardner came to the rescue with two more touchdowns of three and two-yards to take a 11-point lead before halftime.

Ja’Quan Gardner running down the field. | Ian Benjamin Finnegan Thompson

“We had an 11-point lead at half, we came out and got two touchdowns late in the second half which really was the difference in the game,” said head coach Rob Smith.

Two Webber touchdown passes to junior Jamere Austin and Senior Chase Krivashei in the second half put the game away for the Jacks.

“Proud of our kids, our defense played well with a few exceptions,” said Smith, “All in all we played well.”

The Jacks will travel to British Columbia to face Simon Frasier, the Jacks hung up 72 points the last time these two teams faced. A week later the Jacks will face Western Colorado State.

In three weeks the Jacks will have it’s final home game of the regular season against No.8 ranked Central Washington. The only team to hand the Jacks a loss this season.

“Everything is still out there for us,” said Smith. “These kids have stuck to it, come out and got it done and we’re in the hunt. That’s all we can ask for.”

Tuesday, October 24, 2017
Jacks top Western Oregon

By | Keaundrey Clark

Football was alive and well Saturday night as the Humboldt State Lumberjacks defeated Western Oregon 42-32.

It was the arm of Senior Quarterback Robert Webber and the legs of all-American running back that helped lead the jacks to victory as they both scores three touchdowns on the night.

This win tied the all-time series 5-5. The Jacks are winners of 5 out of the last 6.

The Jacks are now 6-1 and will go to British Columbia as they face Simon Fraser next Saturday.

Saturday, October 21, 2017
Jacks comeback to chop down rival Azusa

The Lumberjacks kept a packed Redwood Bowl on the edge of their seats during Homecoming after the teams thrilling come from behind victory over conference rival Azusa Pacific, 52-49.

The nearly 6,000 roaring fans in attendance had the air taken from their sails early on when the Jacks fell behind 14-0 in the first quarter.

Ja’Quan Gardner breaking through a defensive line. | Ian Benjamin Finnegan Thompson

Jacks senior wide out, Chase Krivashei, eased the crowds pain a bit when he scored the Jacks first touchdown of the night on a pass from senior quarterback Robert Webber making the score 14-7.

APU would get the next two scores on the legs of its star running back, junior Kurt Scoby, putting Azusa up 28-7. This set the stage for a performance for the ages.

The game would be decided in the trenches as Scoby was nearly unstoppable but he met his match on this night in Jacks All-American running back Ja’Quan Gardner. Whatever Scoby did, Gardner did better.

“It brings out your competitive spirit,” Gardner said. “You wanna do your best and you wanna play up to par.”

After another APU touchdown, the situation was looking grim with only 36 seconds left in the first half and the Jacks down three scores, the team needed a boost.

They got it in a huge way when Gardner broke off the Azusa defense for a dazzling 92-yard kickoff return for a touchdown to close the half and give the Jacks the momentum bringing the score to 35-21.

Gardner finished the first half with 148-yards rushing, two scores and almost 300 total yards while his counterpart Scoby finished with 105-yards and three scores.

Ja’Quan Gardner running into the end zone. | Ian Benjamin Finnegan Thompson

The Jacks picked up right where they left off in the second half and scored quickly in just two plays finishing it off with a 20-yard Gardner run to make it a one score game.

After another Azusa touchdown, the Jacks made their move. Thanks to back-to-back interceptions by the Jacks secondary and just a few more Gardner touchdowns, the Jacks took the lead 49-42.

Azusa quarterback Andrew Elffers kept the game tied by connecting with his favorite target, receiver Darrell Adams to set up a touchdown.

With 4:30 left in the fourth quarter, the Jacks moved methodically down the field to set up a gut wrenching go-ahead 47-yard field goal attempt by junior kicker Jose “Pepe” Morales.

“Going out there I had a lot of thoughts in my head,” Morales said. “As soon as the snap came, it just all went away and once I saw it come off my foot and looked up at it, I knew it was good.”

Ja’Quan Gardner running past defensive line. | Ian Benjamin Finnegan Thompson

The crowd erupted as the kick sailed through the uprights to put the Jacks up for good despite a final push by Azusa in the games final seconds.

Gardner broke almost all of the Great Northwest Athletic Conference records with his Hall of Fame performance Saturday night. He broke the GNAC’s all-time career records for touchdowns (67), scoring (402), all-purpose yards (6,366), and rushing yards (5,124).

The senior star also set a new GNAC single-game record for scoring with six touchdowns for 36 points and total yards with 446 (293 rushing, 3 receiving and 150 kick return).

HSU remains at home to host Western Oregon next Saturday Oct. 21 at the Redwood Bowl. Kickoff is scheduled for 6 p.m.

The Jacks were the veteran group against Azusa and have leaders at all the right spots who were willing to do whatever it took to get that win.

“It says a great deal about the character of our kids,” Coach Smith said. “It’s a never give up group. They get down and they still believe.”

Sunday, October 15, 2017

Tag: Jacks football

Football player keeps legacy alive