The Lumberjack



Students Serving The Cal Poly Humboldt Campus and Community Since 1929

Tag: Redwood Bowl

  • OPINION: 90 years and a slap in the face

    OPINION: 90 years and a slap in the face

    The Azusa Pacific field goal that beat the Lumberjacks on Nov. 3 sailed through the uprights. At this moment it dawned on me that this was the final play of HSU football. The empty feeling in my gut is all too familiar.

    Born and raised in San Diego, I could never tell local Jacks fans how to feel or how they should feel. However, after over 30 years of cheering for the San Diego Chargers, I have a pretty good idea.

    Year after year, heartache after heartache, I remained loyal to the Chargers. When they went 1-15 after using the second pick in the draft on University of Washington Cougars quarterback Ryan Leaf (the biggest flop in professional sports history), I stuck with it. When management fired head coach Marty Schottenheimer after going 14-2, I stayed true to my team. Get rid of L.T? Why not? There was no quit in me.

    Then, Chargers owner Dean Spanos made the decision to move the Chargers to Los Angeles in Jan. 2017 because he felt it couldn’t compete with the rest of the league financially at his old stadium in San Diego. Loyalty was never on the menu for ownership and I no longer have a team.

    The same can be said for HSU administration. People are pointing the finger at HSU president Lisa Rossbacher and rightfully so. This is the second football program to be eliminated under Rossbacher’s watch.

    Many locals will be getting their wish. Rossbacher’s announced retirement begins at the end of the Spring 2019 semester. One must wonder if future university presidencies are in her future and which team will be on the chopping block next.

    After playing the blame game, the reality of the loss begins to set in. For me, it was the fact that my home team that I had literally bled for was going to leave my city for our rival city to the North. Watching them be successful in Los Angeles this season has been hard to watch to say the least.

    There’s no more cheering for Lumberjacks football even if you wanted to. The game against Azusa was the last game to ever be played at the Redwood Bowl. That is the reality.

    Never again will locals be able to come down early on a Saturday to tailgate before a big game. There won’t be any more Lumberjacks moving on to the NFL, like Jacks All-American offensive lineman Alex Cappa in this year’s draft. At least not in the near future.

    The people with the most to lose in this situation are the players. Many of whom moved up to Humboldt County away from their comfort zones just to play the game of football. For some, HSU was the only offer received. For others this university was their choice.

    Even though HSU won’t fully admit to having a diversity problem, many students would agree that there is one. Losing Jacks football will have a negative effect on the diversity that HSU tries so much to promote.

    90 years of Jacks football apparently means nothing to HSU administration.

    The program is over and the lights at the Redwood Bowl are off. It’s a slap in the face and the feeling will never go away.

  • Like father like son

    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.

  • Spring ball in full effect

    Spring ball in full effect

    Eleven coaches and 66 student athletes gather every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday morning in preparation for their spring game later this month.

    “Our energy is already feeding off of each other,” backup sophomore quarterback Cheyenne Keith said. “We are doing very well so far.”

    The Lumberjacks took to the Redwood Bowl again as they jumped into spring ball at their first 6 a.m. practice on March 27.

    Lumberjacks head coach Damaro Wheeler currently holds the interim position for the Jacks. He has been with the team since spring of 2017 and coached defensive backs and special teams during the 2017 season.

    “We have hired some coaches,” coach Wheeler said. “And a bunch of former players and alumni have come to help us out.”

    Along with practice during the week, the Jacks are required a certain amount of completed lifts done in the recreation center weight room. With some new and already familiar drills, the Jacks are taking everything on and going all in at practice.

    “We are ready,” Keith said. “We are ready to put the pads on and hit each other.”

    The Jacks will get a small break after the their spring game, and will return late summer for the start of the fall season.

    “We’re taking it day by day,” junior Sefa Tauanu’u said. “As a captain, I’m also focused on bettering the team.”

  • The Jacks fall to Central Washington

    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.”

    Thompson.Ian.Feature-5880.jpg
    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.

    Thompson.Ian.Feature-5855.jpg
    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.”

  • 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.

  • Humboldt State more like humble state

    Humboldt State more like humble state

    The Lumberjacks football team looked poised for a big push to the playoffs Saturday night at the Redwood Bowl, dismantling the Chadron State Eagles 56-13.

    HSU came out with their chainsaws roaring, when Senior quarterback Robert Webber connected with his No. 1 target, junior wide out John Todd for a beautiful 37-yard catch that set up sophomore running back Jamar Byrd for the first score of the game from the 2-yard line. The team would not look back.

    Todd wants the whole team to get credit for the way they’ve started this season but wants them to remain focused on a week-to-week basis.

    “We all deserve credit,” Todd said. “We work our butts off. Winning is just like a trophy for that but we’re gonna take it step by step. We got a big game with Central Washington next week.” Todd finished the game with two receptions for 123 yards and a score.

    The 1-2 punch of All-American senior tailback, Ja’Quan Gardner and sophomore tailback Jabar Byrd, was on full display. Each back gave the Eagles defense fits, combining for three scores. A big part of the running games success was the performance of the offensive line who were constantly opening holes for the two backs throughout the game.

    Gardner is off to his best start statistically since he was runner up for the Harlan Hill trophy in 2015 and while that is in the back of his mind, he’s more worried about helping his team win.

    “You wanna try to take it game by game, prepare for each game, give it your best every game,” Gardner said. “That’s not really on my mind but it would be cool to win.”

    Gardner lead the team in rushing with 135-yards and a touchdown and Byrd added a career high two scores of his own. Senior quarterback Robert Webber had a near flawless game, throwing for 338-yards, four touchdowns and one interception.

    The offense showed up as usual with 525-yards of total offense but the defense stepped up big time, taking the ball away from the Eagles seven times. The Jacks shut out the Eagles in the final 30 minutes and picked off Chadron’s quarterback five times.

    Davaeon Johnson had a night to remember with a team high three picks off Eagles QB Dalton Holst. On one play, Johnson picked off Holst and ran the ball back 48-yards for an electrifying Jacks touchdown less than a minute into the fourth quarter. Johnson’s three interceptions tied a Great Northwest Athletic Conference single-game record.

    Jacks head coach Rob Smith is proud of his defense for stepping up and taking care of business against a Chadron team that had scored 73 points in the previous game.

    “It’s just doing your job,” Smith said. “It’s trusting the guy next to you to do his job. Everybody wants magic answers and there’s no magic to it. Its guys playing hard and guys doing their job.”

    The Jacks go into this week ranked No. 17 in the nation and are traveling for a tough conference showdown against the No. 13 ranked Central Washington University Wildcats (5-0) Saturday.

    The Wildcats are coming off a 62-0 stomping of Simon Fraser on Saturday in which they held the Simon Fraser offense to just 26-yards on the day. The Jacks defeated Simon Fraser earlier this season 72-14.

    The two powerhouse teams should provide some fireworks in this match-up. The game can be seen via live-stream at the Humboldt State athletics website. Kickoff is at 1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 7 at Central Washington’s Tomlinson Stadium.

     

  • HSU rolls past Simon Fraser 72-14

    HSU rolls past Simon Fraser 72-14

    By | Diego Linares

    The football team has now scored 185 points over its first three games of the season after defeating Simon Fraser University, 72-14, in the Redwood Bowl on Saturday, Sept. 16.

    “It’s awesome. I love those guys,” Humboldt State University quarterback, Robert Webber, said about his offensive line. “Those guys really do one heck of a job to keep me upright and allow me to do what I do, but none of this would happen without them.”

    Football_Web-6.jpg
    Humboldt State University running back Jabar Byrd sprints past defenders down the left side of the field for a 23-yard touchdown run in the third quarter of a 72-14 win over Simon Fraser University on Saturday, Sept. 16. Photo credit: Diego Linares

    Webber recently, against Azusa Pacific University, became the all-time leader in passing yards and completions for HSU and managed to keep that momentum into Saturday’s game. Webber finished with five touchdowns and 224-yards on 15 completions out of 18 attempts.

    “When you have a running game, running backs like Ja’Quan (Gardner) and Jabar (Byrd) and all them, and an offensive line that dominates the line of scrimmage, it makes it easier on me because they try to load the box,” Webber said.

    Gardner had 85-yards on his first six carries of the game and finished with 121-yards and a touchdown. The rushing attack sparked the offense and kept the opposing team’s defense honest having to commit to stopping the run throughout the game.

    Simon Fraser was able to score two touchdowns in the second quarter to keep things interesting in the first half, but HSU managed to go on a 51-point tear.

    Football_Web-3.jpg
    Defensive coordinator Barry Sacks lectures linemen of the Humboldt State University defense on the sideline during the team’s 72-14 win over Simon Fraser University on Saturday, Sept. 16 in the Redwood Bowl. Photo credit: Diego Linares

    “It’s important that you don’t let your play drop off,” HSU head coach Rob Smith said. “I thought we were flat when we came out, but then the players responded. We’ve got a lot of weapons on the offensive side and we were able to utilize many of them tonight.”

    While the offense was handling things on its end, the HSU defense was also able to put pressure on the opposing quarterback, contain Simon Fraser’s running back, Jalen Jana, and create a turnover late in the game.

    HSU defensive lineman Sefa Tauanu’u managed to get in the backfield for two tackles for loss against Simon Fraser, while also getting three quarterback hits in last week’s win against Azusa Pacific.

    “If I trust them and they trust me, then we’ll get it,” Tauanu’u said about working with his teammates. “If I’m taking on a double-team, I trust that one of my fellow defensive linemen can get a sack or a tackle for loss.”

    Simon Fraser is now on a 26-game losing streak, winning 10 games since the 2012 season.

    Football_Web-8.jpg
    Jabar Byrd makes a cut upfield as he finds his opening in a 72-14 win for Humboldt State University over Simon Fraser University on Saturday, Sept. 16 in the Redwood Bowl. Photo credit: Diego Linares

    “For us to compete, we need to execute at a very high level,” Simon Fraser head coach Kelly Bates said. Which means great decision making, and we’re just not consistent enough right now.”

    The football team’s next game is Saturday, Sept. 23 against Central Washington University, the only other team in the Greater Northwestern Athletic Conference with a 3-0 record.