HUMBOLDT — The Humboldt High football team is eager to make another deep run in the Class 2A playoffs when they match up with Cherryvale at home Thursday. Many of them have been here before.
After reaching the quarterfinal round of the playoffs last year, the Cubs (7-1) return a number of players from that deep run. What’s more, Humboldt hasn’t had a losing record since 2016. Head coach Logan Wyrick knows his team always has high expectations.
“I think a lot of times we take for granted some of the success we’ve had. It’s almost become the norm, which is a good thing and what you’re after,” Wyrick said. “We talk about how pressure is a privilege. We truly believe we can do something special.”
TWO weeks ago, Humboldt beat Cherryvale (4-4) 66-0. And while the victory is fresh on everybody’s minds, the team will approach Thursday’s game as a whole new contest.
“It’s win or go home, and there’s probably going to be some weather going on. Anything can happen,” said Wyrick. “They’ve (Cherryvale) got some talent, and they’ve won quite a few games. They’re just as hungry to make a run as we are.”
THE CUBS have thrived off their defense this season, holding seven of their eight opponents to no more than one score.
“Our expectation is no yards, every play. That’s what we strive for,” said Wyrick. The Cubs’ defense has averaged 48.8 tackles and more than one interception per game. In Humboldt’s win over Cherryvale, Humboldt forced three turnovers, two fumble recoveries and an interception.
Kyler Isbell had a team-high eight tackles while Cole Mathes had seven tackles. Mateo Miller had the lone interception while Caleb Gunderman and Isbell each had one fumble recovery.
“Kyler (Isbell) has a nose for the ball, and he’s what I would consider your prototypical small high school linebacker,” Wyrick said. “We look for our linebackers in general, whether it’s him, Chase (DeMerritt), Logan (Page), Cole (Mathes) or Keith (Gomez), to make plays.”
HUMBOLDT’S offense is perhaps even more dominant, averaging 477 yards per game. Of those, 157 come from passing and 245 on the ground. Blake Ellis has been the leader offensively, compiling 1,184 passing yards, while Sam Hull reached 1,000 receiving yards earlier this season. Cole Mathes has rushed for 618 yards and eight touchdowns.
“You have to respect Sam. He might be our fastest player in the open field,” Wyrick said. “But even without him, the skills we have at other positions, the multiple juniors (Jacob) Harrington, (Asher) Hart and (Brody) Gunderman. And Mateo Miller – he’s our best coverage guy on defense. I’ve never had that type of depth at the skill positions and it’s paid dividends.”
HUMBOLDT and Cherryvale kick off Thursday at 7 p.m.
