BURLINGTON — It was a “rinse and repeat” process for the Humboldt High’s Cubs, whose passing game was an unstoppable Thursday night.
The Cubs could count on their passing game from play to play in a 61-14 win over the Burlington Wildcats.
With the win, Humboldt garnered the Class 3A, District 6 title. Winning district puts the Cubs at home against Central Heights High School in the first round of the state playoffs Tuesday.
Attacking from the air has been the Cubs’ bread and butter all season — a product of Nathan Whitcomb’s powerful arm and the discipline of his receivers.
Whitcomb passed for 416 yards and seven touchdowns. Overall, Humboldt garnered 599 yards of total offense, almost all of which came from the air.
“What a group effort. It started up front with the offensive line giving us some time to throw the football,” head coach K.B. Criss said.
“Our skill folks took it from there.”
Throughout the game, the Wildcats had difficulty covering the Cubs’ receivers.
Whitcomb consistently connected with Tanner McNutt, Hayden Boring and Hunter Murrow.
Humboldt scored the first six touchdowns of the game, with two scoring receptions from McNutt, one from Murrow, one from Noah Thornbrugh and one from Blake Crawford.
Whitcomb ran from 17 yards out for a touchdown midway through the second quarter. Whitcomb was particularly effective connecting with his receivers along the sidelines.
The theme continued in the second half.
As the Cubs filtered in some of their junior varsity players, the scoring slowed with a single touchdown in each of the two remaining quarters. The officials made the decision to run the clock in the fourth quarter.
Murrow led the Cubs in receptions with eight for 139 yards. McNutt garnered 145 yards on six receptions and Thornbrugh brought in four catches for 91 yards.
The Cubs held the Wildcats’ offense to only one touchdown in each half. The defense allowed 189 yards of total offense from the Burlington squad.
“I am very proud of our entire team for setting out and accomplishing their goal of being district champions and having the opportunity to host a first-round playoff game,” Criss said.
While Humboldt has made the playoffs in six of the past 11 seasons, this is the Cubs’ first district championship since 1995.
Criss said every team is “0-0 right now” and the Cubs cannot take their recent success for granted. They will not be satisfied with a district championship, and will work to prepare for the Vikings, Criss said.
“We have to be ready to go out and play four quarters of complete football — offense, defense and special teams,” he said.
Humboldt finished the regular season with a 7-2 overall record and a perfect district mark at 3-0.
Humboldt 20-28-7-6—61
Burlington 0-7-7-0—14
Humboldt — Thornbrugh 28 yd pass from Whitcomb (PAT blocked)
Humboldt — McNutt 25 yd pass from Whitcomb (Boring kick)
Humboldt — Murrow 24 yd pass from Whitcomb (Boring kick)
Humboldt — McNutt 21 yd pass from Whitcomb (Boring kick)
Humboldt — Whitcomb 17 yd run (Boring kick)
Humboldt — Crawford 11 yd pass from Boring (Boring kick)
Burlington — Patrick 66 yd run (Whitworth kick)
Humboldt — Murrow 14 yd pass from Whitcomb (Boring kick)
Burlington — Ratzlaff 45 yd pass from Whitworth (kick good)
Humboldt — Murrow 18 yd pass from Whitcomb (Boring kick)
Humboldt — Meins 84 yd pass from Siemens (kick failed)
Humboldt Burlington
First Downs 30 6
Rushing 22-99 31-160
Passing yds 500 29
Total Offense 599 189
Passing 22-34-1 4-12-0
Fumbles 0-0 2-2
Punts 1/32 3/43
Penalties 11-86 4-50
Humboldt captures district crown
