The final weekend of the regular season for high school football is traditionally reserved for classic rival pairings; and statewide the schedule-makers have held mainly true-to-form. The one glaring omission in 2021 is the nearly 40-year tradition of Kenai vs SoHi closing-out battling each other–many times with a conference title or state-berth on the line.
With Kenai re-classified to Division III in 2020 and SoHi remaining the dominate Division II program, the Kards and Stars will part ways in 2021; a tradition which began in 1980 with the opening of Soldotna High School and the two teams playing twice, the first and final games of the 1980 season. Nikiski will continue a more recent tradition of a week eight pairing against Seward; and Homer will watch from afar as the Mariners season-finale’ was cancelled with the loss of Barrow.
Nikiski @ Seward Friday 4:30 p.m. Broadcast on ESPN 1140AM and streaming at radiokenai.com
The Nikiski Bulldogs, with a victory over Seward, can post a 3-win Denali Conference record and Seward can post a 2-1 record with both teams only conference loss coming against Monroe Catholic (2-0). Monroe has locked-in the only seed to the Division III state football playoffs (the Mid-Alaska Conference receives three berths to state).
The Bulldogs have won two of their final three games, with only a loss to undefeated Redington.
Game time is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. on Friday, October 1st
Follow the Bulldogs on ESPN 1140AM and streaming at radiokenai.com with the Sweeney’s Pregame Show beginning at 4:30 p.m.
Kenai @ Kodiak Friday 5:00 p.m. Broadcast on KSRM 920AM and streaming at radiokenai.com
The Kenai Kardinals, having locked-in a playoff berth with a victory over Homer in week six, will close the regular season at Kodiak in a non-divisional contest in Kodiak on Friday, October 1st. Game time scheduled for 5:00 p.m.
Kodiak has played only four games in 2021 and will look to record the Bear’s first win.
Kenai will play a second-straight Division II team having played Eagle River last weekend.
Follow the Kardinals on KSRM 920AM and streaming at radiokenai.com with the Sweeney’s Pregame Show beginning at 4:50 p.m.
SoHi @ South Saturday 5:00 p.m. Broadcast on ESPN 1140AM and streaming at radiokenai.com
The Northern Lights Conference champion Soldotna Stars travel to Anchorage and a showdown with Division I South Anchorage High School on Saturday, October 2nd with a 3:00 p.m. scheduled varsity game time.
SoHi, on a six-game win streak following a season-opening loss to Lathrop, will challenge the Wolverines at South High School in Soldotna’s sixth game of the season against a school with a higher enrollment.
The Stars have earned the #1 seed from the NLC and will host a first-round playoff game at SoHi on Friday, October 8th. South, along with all eight Cook Inlet Conference teams, advances to the Division I playoffs.
Follow the Stars on ESPN 1140AM and streaming at radiokenai.com with the Sweeney’s Pregame Show beginning at 2:45 p.m.
Back to the rivalry games…Scheduled for Friday or Saturday
Potato Bowl: Palmer vs Wasilla 43rd battle for Mayor’s Cup
Dog Bowl: Lathrop (Malemutes) vs West Valley (Wolfpack) cancelled due to covid protocols
Blood Bowl: North Pole vs Eielson cancelled due to covid protocols
Pink Bowl: Houston vs Redington cancer awareness night
Battle of the Bridge: Eagle River vs Chugiak newest rivalry game
Eastside Boot: East vs Bartlett (played in week seven)