Entering week seven of the high school football regular season and with only two weekends of football remaining, only one team from the Kenai Peninsula has clinched a playoff spot for the upcoming state championships.
No… It is the Kenai Kardinals.
The Kardinals, with a lone victory over Homer in Mid-Alaska Conference play, have cliched one of three playoff seeds into the Division III state football playoffs. The Redington Huskies, undefeated on the season, and the Houston Hawks, reigning 2019 state champions, have locked in the top two positions from the Mid-Alaska Conference.
Kenai, with a non-conference pairing against Eagle River on Friday, advance to the playoffs due to the Barrow Whalers inability to complete the season due to covid protocols and by virtue of a Kenai victory over the Homer Mariners. Barrow High School is reportedly closed through October 4th and will not complete its football schedule. The Homer Mariners were scheduled to play Barrow in the regular season finale’; Homer closes its regular season on Friday against undefeated Redington.
Friday, September 24th Football
SoHi vs Wasilla @ SoHi 5 p.m. Broadcast on ESPN 1140AM and streaming at radiokenai.com
The Soldotna Stars, riding the wave of four-straight wins and a victory over previously unbeaten Eagle River, will look to clinch the Northern Lights Conference #1 berth into the Division II football playoffs and secure a home playoff game–all will come with a victory over the Wasilla Warriors on Friday at Soldotna High School. Game time is scheduled for 5 p.m. A victory for the Stars and SoHi improves to 4-0 in NLC play and the Stars earn their 15th-straight Northern Lights Conference regular season title.
Follow the Stars on ESPN 1140AM and streaming live at radiokenai.com with the Sweeney’s Pregame Show beginning at 4:45 p.m.
Homer vs Redington @ Homer High 5:30 p.m. Broadcast on KSRM 920AM and streaming live at radiokenai.com
The Homer Mariners close their regular season with a home contest against undefeated Redington on Friday night. Game time is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. The Huskies have clinched the Mid-Alaska #1 seed into the Division III football playoffs.
Follow the Mariners on KSRM 920AM and streaming live at radiokenai.com with the Sweeney’s Pregame Show beginning at 5:15 p.m.
Saturday, September 25th Football
Kenai vs Eagle River @ KCHS 2 p.m. Broadcast on ESPN 1140AM and streaming at radiokenai.com
The Kardinals host Eagle River in a non-divisional pairing on Saturday at KCHS. Kenai looks to build on a victory over Homer in week six and the Wolves look to rebound from their first loss last week at the hands of the Stars. Kenai has completed conference play and is scheduled to play Kodiak on the final football weekend. Kenai stands at 1-2 in the Mid-Alaska Conference.
Saturday’s Kenai vs Eagle River game is scheduled for 2 p.m.
Follow the Kards on ESPN 1140AM and streaming live at radiokenai.com with the Sweeney’s Pregame Show beginning at 1:45 p.m.
Nikiski vs Valdez @ Nikiski 2 p.m. Broadcast on KSRM 920AM and streaming live at radiokenai.com
Nikiski hosts Valdez in Denali Conference football at Nikiski High on Saturday for the Bulldogs final home contest. Game time is schedule for 2:00 p.m. The Bulldogs stand at 1-1 in conference play; Valdez owns a 1-1 conference record. Monroe, at 2-0, has clinched the Denali Conference’s only playoff spot for the Division III football playoffs.
Follow the Bulldogs on KSRM 920AM and streaming live at radiokenai.com with the Sweeney’s Pregame Show beginning at 1:45 p.m.
Week Seven Football Schedule
Friday, September 24
Football: SoHi vs Wasilla 5:00 p.m. ESPN 1140AM and radiokenai.com
Football: Homer vs Redington 5:30 p.m. KSRM 920AM and radiokenai.com
Saturday, September 25
Football: Kenai vs Eagle River @ KCHS 2 p.m. ESPN 1140AM and radiokenai.com
Football: Nikiski vs Valdez @ Nikiski 2 p.m. KSRM 920AM and radiokenai.com
