A ninth-straight Division II football championship for the Soldotna Stars is on track for SoHi following a 73-20 DII playoff victory over the North Pole Patriots on Friday night at Soldotna High School.
The Stars, #1 seed from the Northern Lights Conference, overpowered the Patriots, #2 seed from the Railbelt Conference, dominating all three facets of the game: offense, defense and special teams.
SoHi 73 – North Pole 20
The Soldotna offense scored on seven-straight drives in the first half, stopped only by the clock at the end of the half. SoHi then scored on both third-quarter possessions; one fourth quarter drive and ran the clock out on the final drive. North Pole’s defense failed to stop the Stars on any possession for the entire game.
Defensively, the Stars held North Pole to a single touchdown in the second quarter; while SoHi’s defense recovered two Patriot kick-off fumbles and held the North Pole offense three times on downs and forced two punts. In the second half, SoHi and North Pole each scored twice; the Stars rotating numerous players into the contest and holding-out starters.
SoHi vs North Pole: Scoring Drives
First Quarter
SoHi recovered opening kick-off on NP 16
SoHi Brayden Taylor 1o-yard touchdown run 11:14 PAT failed 6-0
SoHi Brock Wilson 58-yard touchdown run 8;48 2pt PAT 14-0
SoHi Wayne Mellon 10-yard touchdown run 1:155 2pt PAT 22-0
SoHi Dylan Dahlgren 13-yard touchdown pass from Brayden Taylor 2pt PAT 30-0
Second Quarter
NP Kaden Bostwick 19-yard touchdown pass from Devon Clark 10:40 30-6
SoHi Brock Wilson 29-yard touchdown run 10:03 PAT failed 36-6
SoHi Gehret Medcoff 46-yard touchdown run 5:42 2pt PAT 44-6
SoHi Dylan Dahlgren 32-yard touchdown pass form Brayden Taylor 1:25 2pt PAT 52-6
Third Quarter
SoHi Gehret Medcoff 67-yard touchdown run 11:42 PAT 59-6
NP Josh Dutra 3-yard run PAT failed 4:28 59-12
SoHi Aidan Gavalis 25-yard touchdown pass from Zac Buckbee 1:17 2pt PAT 67-12
NP Logen Bellway 55-yard touchdown pass from Devon Clark 1:02 2pt PAT 67-20
Fourth Quarter
SoHi Collin Peck 18-yard touchdown run 6:54 PAT failed 73-20
Division II State Update
The Soldotna Stars advance to the ASAA Division II First National Bowl State Football Championship Game scheduled for Saturday October 16th at Service High School in Anchorage. SoHi will face the winner of the Lathrop vs Eagle River playoff game which is set for Saturday, October 9th at 3 p.m. in Fairbanks.
