POMONA — It’s not hard to think how things could have spiraled out of control for Humboldt HIgh’s Cubs.
After an injury-ravaged season cut short by COVID-19 kept Humboldt out of the playoffs last fall, the 2021 campaign got off to an inauspicious start when a last-second schedule change before the season-opener brought Ava, Mo., to town.
Funny thing was, Ava’s 45-0 victory may have been one of the best things that could have happened for Humboldt’s future success, head coach Logan Wyrick said.
For one thing, Ava has done that against pretty much everyone on its side of the state line this season.
Meanwhile, a newly refocused Cub team started finding its footing about midway through Week 2, and there’s been no looking back since.
Since then, Humboldt has rattled off four straight increasingly impressive victories, including Friday’s 50-7 trouncing of West Franklin.
“I think we learned a lot about ourselves” after the Ava game, Wyrick said Friday. “We started piecing together what this team needed to do to get to playing our brand of football.”
There’s not much secret about what Humboldt likes to do.
The Cubs’ ground game is best suited for running north-south, using a physical offensive line, and bruising runners.
“I think the kids have really responded well to it,” Wyrick said. “They’re starting to revel in that type of football.”
The Cubs took full control in a dominating second quarter, outscoring West Franklin 24-0 to extend a 14-7 lead.
Senior quarterback tossed for three touchdowns and 166 yards, on seven completions, while running for 84 yards and a touchdown. Junior running back Trey Sommer carried 13 times for 122 yard and two scores. He also hauled in a pair of receptions, both touchdowns for 37 and 15 yards.
Sophomore receiver Sam Hull had three receptions for 87 yards and a touchdown. He also rushed for 24 yards and completed his only pass attempt of the day for a 5-yard touchdown.
Dakota Slocum had two catches for 27 yards. Holden Cook had a 5-yard touchdown catch.
Defensively, Maddox Johnson had five tackles, including two for losses. Cole Mathes had four tackles, one for loss. River Kaufman made the most of his four tackles — all for losses.
