After missing two weeks dealing with an injury, Luke Lemke stood under the overhang of the snack shack on a rainy night at McKinleyville High School. The junior varsity game was finishing up, and he was getting ready for his much anticipated — and needed — return to the field. His team the Arcata High Tigers had struggled to beat Hoopa at homecoming, and had gotten blown out against Ferndale, which continues a historic undefeated season, but tonight, Lemke was back.
“I didn’t even play football my freshmen year. I just really wanted to make varsity as a freshman in basketball,” said Lemke. At first, he considered himself a basketball player who plays football, “but after the success of last year, I’m a football player.”
The previous year’s success he speaks of is among the most remarkable in Arcata history. In 15 games, Lemke rushed for 1,826 yards — that is 11.6 yards per carry. He averaged 121 yards per game and scored 24 touchdowns. He threw for 2,761 yards and 35 touchdowns, with a QB rating of 120.3. All of this led to a run to not only a league championship, but a sectional championship, the first ever in school history. To cap it all off, they made the trip to Los Angeles to play Portola High for the state championship. Lemke would score three touchdowns to win the title in overtime — again, the first in school history. After the parades, it was back to work because it was basketball season. Lemke was league MVP in both basketball and football that year.
As a sophomore basketball player, Lemke averaged 13 points a game. As a junior he averaged 15 and close to 8 assists. “I love basketball, and it was a quick turnaround, but I wouldn’t miss it. I’m super competitive and it helps me develop other skills athletically that I can take to the football field,” said Lemke. As the team’s point guard, he helped guide the Arcata Tigers to an undefeated league slate at 8-0, and an overall record of 20-7. Not bad for a state champion quarterback.
Although Arcata hasn’t ridden the same wave this year, Lemke has stayed positive. “I’m really proud of the way the guys have responded with the turnover we had with graduation. The way we showed up in the summer and spring, I could tell it was a good group and we were going to battle,” said Lemke. The Tigers have battled, opening the season with a loss to Eureka, though Lemke scored four touchdowns. Arcata picked up a big win against Del Norte, with Lemke scoring another four touchdowns. They got crushed by St. Vincent, and lost a close one to Oakland, but in those games Lemke scored five and four touchdowns, respectively.
Then, in a crosstown rivalry game against McKinleyville High School, he solidified his reputation. “He just went off, he took over — he just Luked,” said senior tackle Nathan Stiles. Lemke had become a verb and something of a unicorn, rushing for 423 yards and seven touchdowns, setting the state record in both categories.
After missing two weeks for injury, Lemke returned to the field again against McKinleyville on Oct. 24, scoring four more touchdowns, making 11 touchdowns in two games, the stuff of local legend.
While Lemke was out, Arcata squeaked out a win 13-12 against Hoopa. Upon his return, they faced Hoopa again and won 34-7, with Lemke making four touchdowns. This all set up a Nov. 7 showdown with undefeated county powerhouse Ferndale, who continued their streak of shutouts with a 48-6 win over Arcata, sending the Wildcats to North Coast Section Division 5 playoffs.
As for college, Lemke is in discussions with University of California San Diego, San Diego State University, University of Northern Colorado and Cornell University. “It’s tough right now because we are in season, but I expect the recruitment process to pick up around Christmas.” Lemke plans on playing basketball this season as well. “I’ll miss a little bit of time in November because I’ll be taking some official visits and checking out schools, but yah, I’ll be on the court,” he said with a grin.
Which school he commits to will partly determine what position he will play at the next level. As a versatile athlete, he has been considered as a receiver, safety and quarterback. “My preference is QB because I like the control and having the game in my hands. Depending on the school, I’ll weigh my options,” he said.
Brandon Dixon (he/him) is a former All American who played college baseball for Orange Coast College, Point Loma Nazarene and the Peninsula Oilers. Father to two little girls, he’s also the host of The Brando Show podcast.
This article appears in Green-and-Gold Washing on the Menu?.