State playoff positioning and the opportunity to host a first round playoff game were the underlying themes of Saturday’s Northern Lights Conference football showdown between Soldotna and Eagle River–the primary focus was a victory and remaining unbeaten in NLC football.
SoHi checked all the boxes with a 27-14 victory over the Wolves, handing Eagle River its first loss of the season and for SoHi, gaining control of the NLC title race. The Stars are 3-0 in NLC games and have won four-straight games.
SoHi 27 – Eagle River 14
The Stars offense was efficient; the SoHi defense was outstanding. The Stars opened the game with a recovery of the opening kick-off; SoHi’s defense recorded a blocked kick on the Wolves first possession; SoHi scored on an interception return in the second quarter and the Stars intercepted a pass on Eagle River’s final drive.
Game Recap
SoHi opened the scoring with a one-play drive following the blocked punt with Gehret Medcoff racing 45 yards for the game’s first score. Eagle river answered on a 90-yard drive and a 5-yard touchdown run by Cashiez Reaves opening the second quarter. SoHi retook the lead 14-7 on a Medcoff 3-yard run midway through the second quarter and the Stars extended the lead on a Brayden Taylor interception return of 35 yards for a touchdown. Halftime score: SoHi 21, Eagle River 7
The highlight of the third quarter was a fourth down stop by the Stars defense on SoHi’s 6-yard line.
In the fourth quarter, Reaves scored on a 5-yard run to bring Eagle River to within a score at 21-14. SoHi responded with a near five minute, 57-yard drive capped by a 1-yard touchdown run by Wayne Mellon. The SoHi defense sealed the game with a Cody Uribe-Koivisto interception with 1:25 remaining.
Final Score: SoHi 27, Eagle River 14.
The Stars host Wasilla in Northern Lights Conference action on Friday, September 24th at Soldotna High School. A victory for the Stars and SoHi will earn the NLC title and a home playoff game.
