HUMBOLDT — Some home cooking proved to be the perfect elixir for a shorthanded Humboldt High club.
The undermanned Cubs, who have lost three players to season-ending injury and have several others missing in action, nevertheless controlled the action Friday against visiting Erie.
Senior quarterback Mason Sterling was a key protagonist, rushing for four touchdowns and throwing another in Humboldt’s 42-12 victory.
The win in the Cubs’ home-opener gives Humboldt its first win of the season.
Junior tailback Layne Wagner kicked off the scoring with a 26-yard run to cap Humboldt’s first possession.
After missing on a score on its second possession, Humboldt took advantage of a punt that actually bounced backwards (without being blocked or deflected), setting the Cubs up in prime scoring position.
Sterling scored on an 18-yard run two plays later.
He then stretched the lead further late in the second quarter on a 2-yard keeper.
The Cubs then recovered the subsequent onside kick, leading to Sterling’s third score of a half, a 17-yarder, tp push the lead to 26-0.
The drumbeat continued in the third quarter.
Sterling found Owen Sicka on a 26-yard scoring strike on Humboldt’s first possession of the second half.
Erie lost yarage and punted on its next possession, allowing Humboldt to set up at midfield. Sterling capped the scoring seven players later on a a 5-yard jaunt.
Erie found the end zone on its final two possessions of the game, after a running clock was ordered because the point differential exceeded 30 points in the fourth quarter.
FRIDAY also marked homecoming festivities. Sterling’s big night was made even bigger after he was crowned Homecoming King at halftime. Laney Hull was crowned Homecoming Queen.
Humboldt hosts Eureka next Friday.
Erie 0-0-0-12
