Two non-conference games and one home conference contest fill the central peninsula’s high school football schedule for week three of the regular season.
Friday Night Football
SoHi vs West Valley @ SoHi 6 p.m. ESPN 1140AM, 96.9FM and radiokenai.com
The Soldotna Stars, unbeaten after a pair of road victories over North Pole and Service, host Division II West Valley from Fairbanks at SoHi’s Justin Maile Field on Friday, August 26th with the varsity game set for a 6 p.m. kick-off.
The Stars have dominated the early season with 114 points scored in two games, both games finished under the ASAA mercy rule; SoHi’s defense has allowed only three touchdowns, only one touchdown scored before the fourth quarter. West Valley stands at 1-1 with a victory over Eielson and a loss to Chugiak.
Northern Lights Conference SoHi and Railbelt Conference West Valley did not meet in 2021 due to a cancellation of the season opener in Fairbanks due to covid protocols.
Kenai vs Palmer @ Palmer High School 7 p.m. KSRM 920AM and radiokenai.com
The Kenai Kardinals look to add a second victory of the season on the road with the Kardinals traveling to Palmer to face the Division II Moose. Game time is scheduled for 7 p.m. at Machetanz Field in Palmer.
Kenai faces a second, Division II program following a loss to North Pole and an opening victory over Division III Eielson in Fairbanks. Kenai has scored 45 points in two football games and allowed only one touchdown to Eielson. Palmer stands at 0-2 and has allowed 78 points and has yet to score with a 24-0 loss to Eagle River and a 54-0 loss to Lathrop.
Nikiski vs Eielson @ Nikiski 2:30 p.m. ESPN 1140AM, 96.9FM and radiokenai.com
Nikiski will attempt to build on an impressive non-conference, Denali Conference victory over Seward in week two; following a stunning, final-minute loss in Barrow in week one.
The Bulldogs host Eielson on Saturday at Nikiski High School with a 2:30 p.m. game kick-off. The Bulldogs rely on a strong running game and a defense which has allowed touchdowns in only three quarters through two games.
Nikiski, following Saturday’s game, face the possibility of multiple off-weeks with the Monroe Rams and now the Valdez Buccaneers dropping from the 2022 football season. Both teams are members of the Denali Conference leaving only Nikiski, Eielson and Seward to battle for the conference’s lone playoff berth. Saturday’s game will be crucial in the Bulldogs quest for the DIII football playoffs. Nikiski was scheduled to play Valdez on September 10th and 17th.
Photo courtesy of Kenai Central High School Football Facebook Page