Three undefeated teams faced-off in games involving central peninsula programs on week three of the high school football season; only one unbeaten team remained after the lights turned out on Friday night football.
The Soldotna Stars remain unbeaten at 3-0 with a dominating 44-0 victory over Wasilla. The Kenai Kardinals down previously unbeaten Thunder Mountain in Juneau 23-12 and unbeaten Monroe falls to the Nikiski Bulldogs 43-34. Three victories on the road for central peninsula football.
SoHi 44 – Wasilla 0
The Soldotna Stars defense overpowered Wasilla and the offense took advantage of unusually good field position; as SoHi shutout Wasilla 44-0 at Wasilla.
The Warriors game strategy turned against them as Wasilla failed to convert a first down on their first four possessions, chose not to punt and turned the ball over to the Stars deep in Wasilla territory four times. All four resulting in quick touchdowns for SoHi; the fifth possession resulted in a blocked punt and a safety for the Stars.
SoHi scored on all five possessions in the first half for a 37-0 halftime lead.
The Stars opened the scoring on a first-play, 11-yard touchdown pass from Brandon Crowder to Andy West, which followed an interception by Jace Urban. Crowder and West connected again for the second touchdown in just three plays from scrimmage. SoHi added touchdown runs of seven yards by Jace Urban, one yard by Jeremiah Lefao, and a TD reception of 12 yards from Crowder to Luke Trammell. Wendall Tuisaula recorded the safety for SoHi. A 23-yard touchdown run for Urdan closed the scoring just two minutes into the second half.
SoHi improves to 3-0 overall, yet to play a conference game. The Stars face #1 East next Saturday at East Anchorage High School.
Kenai 23 – Thunder Mountain 12
The Kardinals defense held the previously unbeaten Thunder Mountain Falcons to 12 points; as Kenai’s offense found is stride in Juneau on Friday night with a 23-12 Kenai victory.
Kenai’s Chase Gillies scored with under three minutes remaining to lock in the victory for the Kardinals. Kenai held the Falcons, who have averaged 51 points per game in their first two contests, to just two touchdowns.
Nikiski 43 – Monroe 34
The Bulldogs traveled all the way to Fairbanks to find their offense, posting 43 points against previously unbeaten Monroe in a 43-34 Small School division showdown on Friday night.
The Bulldogs rushed the ball through Monroe’s defense for 386 yards on 54 carries. Patrick Perry carried for 183 yards and three touchdowns; Matt Minium recorded 171 yards and two touchdowns.
Minium scored on a 12-yard run late in the third quarter to give the Bulldogs a lead and Tyler Olsen added an insurance touchdown with a 6-yard touchdown run to seal the victory.
Nikiski recorded its first victory and stands at 1-2 on the season.
