Photos by Ray Hamill/HUmboldtSports.com – Eureka’s Zac Anderson

The Eureka Eagles and Northern Humboldt Giants have been battling back and forth all season, and that could continue this weekend with a state championship up for grabs.

The two local American Legion teams will compete at the four-team state championships in Yountville, with the action getting under way on Friday.

On Tuesday, the two local rivals found out who their opening-game opponents will be.

The Eagles, who marched through the Area One tournament in Red Bluff this past weekend with four wins in four games on the way to the title, will play the Diamond Cats at noon, while the Giants get the action started at 9 a.m. against Chino Post 299.

As of right now, the Eagles are undecided who will get the start on the mound for the opener, with everyone healthy, rested and ready to go.

The Giants, meanwhile, are likely to go with Will Mager, who has been impressive in recent outings.

The two Humboldt County teams advanced to the state tournament after being the last two teams standing at the Area One tournament, with the Eagles edging the Giants for the title on Sunday.

But while the Eagles got the better of their closest rivals most recently, it was the Giants who got the better of exchanges the previous week at the District tournament in Humboldt County.

The Giants showed plenty of fight battling back from a Saturday loss to win three straight elimination games the following day on the way to the title, including knocking off the Eagles in back-to-back games.

Local fans can only hope the two Humboldt County rivals meet again this weekend.

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Ray Hamill writes at humboldtsports.com, where you can read lots more about sports in Humboldt County.