Conference pairings in the Northern Lights Conference with playoff implications and a showdown between perennial champions in the Small School division highlighted week seven of the high school football regular season.
At the end of the day, all three central peninsula teams are still in the hunt for playoff berths; the Kardinals have the toughest road ahead.
Kenai 7 – Palmer 21 Friday Night NLC Showdown
The Kenai Kardinals, 2-0 in the NLC, needed a victory over 2-1 Palmer to secure a playoff spot in the Medium School division; now, after a 21-7 loss to the Moose, Kenai faces a must-win contest against the Soldotna Stars on October 1st.
Game Summary
The Kardinals and Moose battled to ta 7-7 tie through one half before the Moose scored two, unanswered second half touchdowns for a 21-7 Palmer victory.
The Kardinals lone touchdown came with 1:10 remaining in the first half on a 37-yard touchdown pass from Avery Heiber to Zack Tuttle.
The Kardinals at 2-1 in the NLC and Palmer at 3-1 in the NLC both have their respective playoff hopes resting on the outcome of next Saturday’s Kenai vs SoHi regular season finale’.
Soldotna 41 – Eagle River 0
The Stars started slowly in the first quarter, took over the game in the second quarter, and closed out the victory in the second half; as SoHi shutout Eagle River 47-0 in Northern Lights Conference football action on Saturday.
Game Summary
SoHi opened the scoring on a 5-yard Jace Urban run for a 7-0 lead at the end of the first quarter. The Stars opened the second quarter with a 1-yard touchdown carry for quarterback Brandon Crowder. Leading 14-0, SoHi scored on a 43-yard run by Brenner Furlong with only :32 seconds remaining in the half; then, Jeremiah Lefoa intercepted a pass at midfield and scored on a 52-yard interception return as time expired on the half. Halftime Score: SoHi 28 – Eagle River 0.
The Stars added a 1-yard touchdown run by Austin Schrader and a 29-yard touchdown run by Furlong for a 41-0 lead after three quarters. A final rushing touchdown for Woodward and the Stars clip the Eagles 47-0.
The Soldotna Stars stand at 3-0 in the Northern Lights Conference, 7-0 on the season, and extend the SoHi football programs state-best winning streak to 46 straight games.
The Stars host Kenai on Saturday, October 1st in the final regular season game with NLC playoff positions to be determined on the final day.
Nikiski 14 – Eielson 58
Eielson and Nikiski meet on Saturday in a clash of Small School division titans with both teams unbeaten in Small School games in 2016.
The Eielson Ravens scored on their first play from scrimmage and overpowered Nikiski 58-14 in the battle between two teams that have clinched playoff berths to the Small School division playoffs.
Nikiski, 3-0 in the Peninsula Conference, closes the regular season on the road at Seward on Friday, September 31st against a 3-0 in Peninsula Conference Seward Seahawk team. Game time is scheduled for 4:00 p.m. on Friday.