Photo by Rick Thompson: Humboldt's Will Orness (11) celebrates with teammate Kaleb McCullough during last Friday’s win over Algona.

HUMBOLDT — All it takes is one look from their quarterback for Jacob Heier and Will Orness to know what’s coming next.

The Humboldt receiving duo has benefited from Caden Matson’s accuracy all season long. As a result, the trio has developed into one of the most formidable in the state for the fourth-ranked (Class 3A) Wildcats.

“Jacob, Will, and I have a very special connection, and it’s no surprise because all we did this spring/summer was run routes and hang out together,” said Matson, a senior. “It’s crazy how I can just look at them and barely give them a signal and they know exactly what I’m thinking.”

The offseason was spent getting everyone on the same page as much as possible, so that it would carry over to the football field this fall. The time has paid off for Humboldt, which capped an unbeaten regular season at the school for the first time in over 30 years.

“Caden, Will, and I have a relationship that goes way beyond the field,” said Heier, a senior. “We have been running routes since the spring and hung out a lot during the summer. When we are on the field, the connection just feels natural.

“Caden usually doesn’t have to say much. We are all on the same page. We have had very few miscues — if any.”

The Wildcats went 9-0 for the first time since going back-to-back in 1989 and 1990.

“It means a lot to be on an unbeaten team, especially because it’s been so long since Humboldt’s had a perfect record,” Orness said. “This team is so special because of how much we truly care about each other’s success.”

Humboldt’s high powered offense is third in Class 3A in passing (1,942), and Matson has the second most touchdowns with 26. The Wildcats are second in offensive yards from scrimmage as a squad (3,849).

“Right now our guys are playing great football because they truly care about each other,” said Humboldt head coach Derrick Elman. “The way the team attacks each practice and competes day in and day out helps in their success.”

Matson’s combined rushing and passing touchdowns leads 3A at 38. The senior also tops the class with 3,186 offensive yards.

The quarterback has completed his passes at a 71-percent rate (119-for-167). On the ground, Matson has rushed for 1,249 more yards and 12 scores.

In his career, Matson has thrown for 3,577 yards and 42 TDs. He has a completion percentage of 64 percent. He’s also run for 2,420 yards and 30 touchdowns.

“All of us have been friends since we were little and have all grown up together,” said Orness, a junior. “Caden, Jacob and I have an incredible connection. We’ve spent many hours running routes in the offseason. We’re also good friends and hangout on a regular basis.

“In games, I don’t even have to give Caden a signal. I just look at him and he sees what I see.”

Orness is second in 3A with 14 TDs, while Heier is tied for fourth with nine. Orness leads 3A with 931 yards, while Heier is seventh at 662.

Heier has 57 career grabs for 1,099 yards and 11 scores, while Orness has 63 catches for 1,010 and 16 TDs.

“When we practice, our receivers never want to be the first one to drop a ball, so I think the way a team competes in all situations helps lend to our success,” Elman said. “The other thing I love about guys like Caden and all of our receivers is the amount of extra work they’ve put in.

“I think that’s why they always seem to be in the right place. Caden’s thrown so many balls to those guys that he just knows how they are going to break.”

Humboldt clinched its first district title since 2012 with a come-from-behind win over No. 7 Nevada. That was a victory that helped solidify the Wildcats’ psyche.

“The win over Nevada was a huge confidence booster, especially since we didn’t play our best game. If you can have six turnovers and still win a big football game, that is a huge testament to your defense,” Heier said. “That game really showed that our guys don’t have any quit in them. No one ever put their head down, and the leaders of the team did a great job of picking up the guys who made mistakes. They kept them focused on the goal for that night.”

Elman believes the success on the field has developed from the work on the practice field.

“A huge part of our team’s success starts with a great look in practice. With as many one way guys we have, our scout team often consists of starters at times throughout practice,” Elman said. “Our starting wide receivers work against our starting DBs. Our starting offensive line works against our starting defensive line and linebackers. Our practices are very competitive, and that goes a long way.”

The Wildcats open the postseason on Friday, hosting Hampton-Dumont-CAL (5-4).

“Being the first Humboldt team since 90 to be in this spot is a great feeling,” Matson said. “We’re all starting to feel like everything we’ve done and worked towards is finally coming together.

“However, that ’90 team lost in the first round of the playoffs, which is very humbling to see. We can’t overlook anyone and we have to come ready to play.”

The Wildcats picked up a playoff win last year, going 5-4. Heading into this season, a year after putting up solid numbers, the senior class was looking for more.

“Going into this season, we all, our senior class in particular, had a lot of goals we wanted to accomplish,” Matson said. “We knew what we were capable of, it was just time to show it. I couldn’t have asked for a better group of guys, either.

“We have grown so close as not just a team, but as friends and family. We’re all cherishing every last moment we have playing together.”

Two years prior to this year’s qualifying squad, the Wildcats only won two games.

“It’s really cool to be able to finish the season perfect (9-0) in that aspect,” Heier said. “Looking at where we were two years ago, finishing the season at 2-7 and to be able to make such a sudden change in a short amount of time is a great feeling.

“Especially since it is Humboldt’s first perfect season since 1990.”

The Wildcats know the playoffs are a different beast. Humboldt opens on Friday against Hampton-Dumont/CAL.

“I feel like something really special is happening right now,” Heier said. “And that goes back to the work we have been putting in since freshman year.”

Elman has seen his team come together for a special season.

“As a coach, it’s fun to sit back and just watch our guys work,” Elman said. “Iron sharpens iron, and I think they prove that every day.”