Number One defeated Number One on Saturday in an “only in Alaska” showdown in high school football; the Soldotna Stars rallying for a late-fourth quarter, game-winning drive to stun East Anchorage 22-21 in the battle between the Medium School #1 Stars and the current Large School #1 East.
The Stars advance their program’s current win streak to 43-straight victories including a second victory in 2016 against the top ranked team in Anchorage and in Large School football. SoHi improves to 4-0 on the season overall with victories over West Anchorage (then #1 and 2015 state champion), North Pole and Wasilla.
SoHi 22 – East 21
The Stars trailing 21-14 with only :48 seconds remaining in Saturday’s showdown at East, scored on a 1-yard by Austin Schrader to draw the Stars to within a point at 21-20 East.
SoHi touchdown call on ESPN 1140AM…
SoHi put their undefeated season and state-best win streak on the line, foregoing a tying PAT kick and going for the win with a 2-point conversion–quarterback Brandon Crowder connecting with tight end Andy West for the conversion and the SoHi victory 22-21 over East.
Crowder to West 2-point conversion on ESPN 1140AM…
The Thunderbirds, with only seconds remaining, were picked-off at the 40-yard line by Jace Urban to secure the win.
Urban interception to secure victory on ESPN 1140AM…
The Stars scored on their first possession of the game on a 45-yard touchdown pass from Crowder to West for a 7-0 SoHi lead. The first half ended 7-0, as East’s drive ended at the SoHi 8-yard line with time expiring on the half.
The T-Birds scored on their first two possessions of the second half to take a 14-7 lead after three quarters; SoHi struggled with a fumble and an interception in the third quarter.
The final quarter opened with a Star rushing touchdown of 26-yards by Brenner Furlong to tie the game at 14-14. East quickly answered with a 64-yard touchdown and lead 21-14 with 8:52 remaining in the game.
SoHi mounted the game-winning drive of 75 yards and converted the 2-point passing play for the victory.
Final Score: SoHi 22 – East 21
