Eielson 6, Nikiski 40
Nikiski Highschool Football is headed for the inaugural nine-man football Alaska State Championship following their 40-6 win over Eielson this weekend.
This year’s new nine-man league, known as the Great Land Conference football league raised eyebrows before the season start. To the delight of many, however, the four-team conference – Nikiski, Seward, Ben Eielson, and Valdez – has been a big success, which will culminate this coming Saturday at Colony High School when Nikiski takes on Seward for the right to hoist the first Great Land Conference Championship trophy.
As for the game versus Eielson, playing without starting quarterback Ethan Ellis (or backup quarterback Everett Chamberlain, but more on that later) didn’t seem to have a significant impact on the Bulldog’s offensive prowess, as they scored 4 times before the end of the first half. In the absence of their starting quarterback, Chamberlain got the start versus the Ravens, but left the game in the second quarter with an ankle injury.
The Bulldogs finished the game with a run-heavy QB tandem of Oliver Parrish and Truitt McCaughey.
Parrish and McCaughey led the offense to its largest margin of victory over Eielson this season, with McCaughey punching in a pair of touchdowns, and Parrish eating up yards on a trio of breakaway touchdown runs – 64, 27, 47 yards respectively.
Seth Payne added a 55 yard pick-six at the end of the 1st quarter.
Nikiski takes on the Seward Seahawks at Colony High School this Saturday October 7th at 7 p.m. on ESPN 1140AM, 96.9FM and radiokenai.com.
Kodiak 6, Kenai 49
The Kenai Central Kardinals finished their season much the same way they started it, with a schoolyard beatdown at the expense of the Kodiak Bears. Kenai travelled to The Rock over the weekend, and locked up the DIII Mid-Alaska State Tournament number one overall seed, beating Kodiak 49-6.
Kardinal’s quarterback Zeke Yragui turned in his best performance of the season – arguably one of the best games by any Alaska quarterback this year not named Azariah Atonio – completing 11-18 passes for 204 yards and five touchdowns, while rushing for another 56 yards and a touchdown.
Throughout the season the Kardinals have relied more on their ground game to put points on the board, putting the ball in the hands of running back’s Bobby Hayes, and William Wilson. So, why the change? Perhaps coach Jacob Brand is looking back at Kenai’s two losses this season, which both saw the Kardinals struggle to move the ball quickly in crucial short-clock situations. One of those losses came against Houston, who the Kardinal’s would play in the state title game, assuming both teams win their semi-final matchups, and a more dynamic passing game may be just the edge Kenai needs to gain an advantage these next two weeks.
It should be mentioned, however, that Yragui’s touchdown passes benefitted from reliability at the other end of the throw, primarily in the form of Zeke’s favorite target this year, Sawyer Vann. Vann’s three catches in the game all went for touchdowns. He finished the game with 91 receiving yards, three scores, and a field goal.
The Kardinal’s will host the Homer Mariners at 4 p.m. Saturday October 7th in the DIII State Semi-Finals on ESPN 1140AM, 96.9FM and radiokenai.com
Eagle River 7, Soldotna 55
The Soldotna Stars are headed back to the DII State Championship Playoffs, and will be looking to add another state title (and undefeated season) to what has long since become the most storied athletic program in Soldotna High School’s 41 year history. SOHI capped off its undefeated season with a 55-7 road rout of the Eagle River Wolves.
The drama leading up to this particular game lost some of the wind from its sails when the Wolves lost to Lathrop on September 9th. Had the Wolves knocked off the Malemutes, it would have set up a regular season finale with both Eagle River and Soldotna undefeated, and vying for the number one overall seed going into the playoffs. The Lathrop loss, however, appears to have set the stage for the 4th straight SOHI v. Lathrop championship since 2019 (excluding the 2020-21 COVID-shortened season).
It was business as usual for the Stars on Saturday; copy and paste, if you will.
Quarterback Zac Buckbee took home the crown for this last game, turning in his best performance of the season. He ran for three touchdowns, as well as connected with Colin Peck for a touchdown with five minutes to play in the first quarter.
Gehret Medcoff also ran for a pair of touchdowns.
Soldotna will open their title campaign by hosting the Chugiak Mustangs in a quarterfinal matchup this Saturday, October 7th, at 12:00 p.m. on ESPN 1140AM, 96.9FM and radiokenai.com.
