When two of Alaska’s top offensive teams collided in the football season opener; the high-powered Soldotna Stars dominated as they consistently do, on defense!
Soldotna High School extended their state-record, consecutive win streak to 50-straight with a dominate 21-0 shut out of the West Anchorage Eagles in Anchorage on Friday night. The 2016 Medium School champions downed the Large School state runner-up from 2016 to open the 2017 campaign.
S0Hi 21 – West 0
The SoHi defense was stifling!
The Stars held West to 40 total yards! SoHi forced the Eagles to punt on four of West’s first six possessions; the other two ended in an interception and a fumble.
SoHi’s quarterback Brandon Crowder connected with Cody Quelland on a 2-yard touchdown pass for a 7-0 halftime lead.
The Stars scored a pair of rushing touchdowns in the second half. Aaron Faletoi capped an early, fourth period drive with a 1-yard touchdown run; then added a 9-yard touchdown run on the Stars next possession for a 21-0 SoHi advantage.
SoHi took the victory formation for the final drive and celebrated a 50-straight, state record victory to open the 2017 Alaska football season.
Fourth down plays, on both sides, proved crucial.
The Stars, leading 7-0 after three quarters, turned-away West on an Eagle 4th and 17 when SoHi cornerback Cy Updike batted-away an apparent touchdown in the end zone on the first play of the fourth quarter. The Stars first touchdown drive included a 16-yard, 4th down pass completion from Crowder to Galen Brantley III which lead to a SoHi score.
The Stars offense rushed the ball for 285 yards, lead by Aaron Faletoi’s 124 yards on 16 carries and Brenner Furlong’s 105 yards on 19 carries.
Defensively, the Stars held West scoreless; as the Eagle’s drives ended five times on punts, three times on downs, one interception and two fumbles. West’s rushing game totaled a negative 10 yards.
The Stars will host Dimond High School on Friday, August 18 at Justin Maile Field at Soldotna High School. Game time is scheduled for 6:00 p.m.
Game Summary
Soldotna 0 7 0 14 21
West 0 0 0 0 0
Second quarter
Soldotna – Quelland 3 pass from Crowder (Sheridan kick), 9:05.
Fourth quarter
Soldotna – Faletoi 1 run (Sheridan kick), 8:05.
Soldotna – Faletoi 9 run (Sheridan kick), 4:00.
Individual Game Statistics
Rushing– Soldotna: Faletoi 16-124, Furlong 19-105, Crowder 12-18, Quelland 5-16, Updike 1-0. West: Bell 6-14, Mendoza 1-0, Pilcher 3-(-4), Team 1-(-24).
Passing – Soldotna: Crowder 3-10-2–22. West: Pilcher 13-29-1—54, Mendoza 0-1-0–0.
Receiving – Soldotna: Brantley 1-16, Furlong 1-3, Quelland 1-3. West: Su’esu’e 5-31, Bell 5-(-4), Gladney 2-22, Martinez 1-5.
