The Soldotna Stars football program, with a victory in the 2015 ASAA First National Bowl Medium School Football Championship, achieved three outward goals in one crowning moment.
The Stars pulled-away from the Kenai Kardinals with three fourth quarter touchdowns for a 33-18 victory over Kenai in the championship contest at Dimond High on Saturday.
With the victory, the Stars record their fourth-straight Medium Schools football championship, their third-straight undefeated season, and the programs 10-0 record extends SoHi’s current state record win streak to 39 consecutive games.
SoHi 33 – Kenai 18 Medium School Football Championship Game
The Stars and Kards battled evenly through three quarters before SoHi took control with three, fourth quarter touchdowns; en-route-to, a 33-18 victory over the Kardinals.
After a scoreless first quarter, the Stars opened a 13-0 lead on a pair of Kristian Palaniuk touchdown runs of four and six yards. Kenai answered with a touchdown in the final minute of the first half, connecting on a touchdown pass from Chase Gillies to Zach Tuttle. The teams headed to the locker room 13-6 SoHi at the half.
SoHi fumbled the second half kick-off back to the Kardinals and Kenai added a 1-yard touchdown run by Gillies to draw to within a point at 13-12. Another SoHi fumble gave Kenai the ball and an opportunity to take the lead; however, SoHi’s defense held and the Kards were forced to punt. SoHi then dominated the fourth quarter with three, straight touchdowns; Palaniuk on a 23-yard pass reception from Dylan Simons, Simons on a 6-yard run, and Palaniuk with a 40-yard touchdown run. Kenai added a final score with Draiden McMinn scoring from 22-yards out with :14 seconds remaining. Final Score: SoHi 33 – Kenai 18
Game Totals:
SoHi Rushing: 260 yards Palaniuk, 126 yards; Prior, 49 yards; Urban, 49 yards
Kenai Rushing: 136 yards Welborn 69 yards; McMinn, 51 yards; Tuttle, 13 yards
SoHi Passing Simons 2 for 4, 1 TD
Kenai Passing Gillies 5 of 10, 1 TD
Eielson 49 – Nikiski 14 Small School Football Championship Game
The Eielson Ravens used a powerful ground attack to record a second, straight Small Schools Football Championship, defeating the Nikiski Bulldogs 49-14.
Following a Raven touchdown midway through the first quarter, Nikiski quarterback Cade Anderson connected with Dylan Broussard on a 16-yard touchdown pass. The Bulldogs lead 8-7 after one quarter. Eielson lead 21-14 at the half with two rushing touchdowns, followed by a 2-yard touchdown run by Nikiski’s Corin Cooper, Eielson held Nikiski scoreless for the second half while adding four more rushing touchdowns. The Ravens capitalized on six Nikiski turnovers, three interceptions and three fumbles. Final Score: Eielson 49 – Nikiski 14
Game Totals:
Nikiski Rushing: 184 yards Minium, 70 yards; Cooper, 53 yards; Broussard, 31 yards; Anderson, 41 yards
Eielson Rushing: 438 yards Dunlap, 168 yards; Griffith, 112 yards; North, 146 yards
Nikiski Passing Anderson 7 for 19, 1 TD, 3 INT
Eielson Passing Griffith 1 of 4