The Alaska high school football playoffs open the first weekend of October with semi-final and play-in games in three divisions. Playoff positions and seeding were determined following the final weekend of the eight-game regular season.
Division II Football
Soldotna vs North Pole Saturday, October 7th @ Palmer High 4:00 p.m.
ESPN 1140AM and www..radiokenai.com Pregame begins at 3:45 p.m.
The Soldotna Stars continue their drive to a sixth-straight, football championship in Division II (Medium School) football with an opening playoff game against North Pole.
The Stars finished the regular season with an 8-0 record and a 4-0 Northern Lights Conference record. The Patriots are the #2 seed from the Southeast Conference with a 3-1 conference record.
SoHi’s offense amassed nearly 3,300 total yards including over 2,500 rushing yards and 214 points. SoHi’s defense allowed only 59 points on the season.
Brenner Furlong lead the ground attack with over 1,200 rushing yards and 15 touchdowns, including 211 yards and three touchdowns in the Stars victory over Kenai in the regular season finale’. Aaron Faletoi rushed for over 800 yards and quarterback Brandon Crowder recorded 11 passing touchdowns and four rushing touchdowns. Galen Brantley III lead the NLC with 19 receptions and eight touchdown catches.
Division III Football
Nikiski vs Barrow @ Barrow Saturday, October 7th 1:00 p.m.
ESPN 1140AM and www..radiokenai.com Pregame begins at 12:55 p.m.
The Nikiski Bulldogs, #2 seed from the Peninsula Conference with 3-1 conference record, will travel to Barrow to face the Aurora Conference champion Whalers.
Nikiski has won two, small school championships since 2011 with championships in 2011 and 2013.
The Bulldogs, after an opening game forfeit, finished with a 4-3 record and 3-1 in the Peninsula Conference. The Barrow Whalers posted an unbeaten Aurora Conference record at 4-0.
Nikiski’s offensive attack is lead by Ian Johnson with eight touchdowns and over 775 rushing yards. The Bulldog’s offense recorded nearly 1,500 rushing yards and over 300 passing yards.
Division III Football
Homer vs Eielson @ Homer High Saturday, October 7th 2:00 p.m.
The Homer Mariners, #1 seed from the Peninsula Conference and 4-0 in conference play, hosts the Eielson Ravens, 3-1 in the Aurora Conference, on Saturday at Homer High School.
The Mariners qualify for the Division III playoffs for the first time since dropping to the small school division in 2013. Homer finished as runner-up in the Medium Schools championship in 2012.
The Eielson Ravens have won the past three Small School championships in 2014, 2015, and 2016.
State Football Playoff Schedule: October 6th and 7th
ASAA First National Bowl Series Division II Semifinals
Palmer (NLC #2) vs. Thunder Mountain (SEC #1) – 1:00 p.m.
North Pole (SEC #2) vs. Soldotna (NLC #1) – 4:00 p.m.
ASAA First National Bowl Series Division III Play In Games
Nikiski (PC #2) at Barrow (AC #1) Saturday, October 7 – 1:00 p.m.
Ben Eielson (AC #2) at Homer (PC #1) – Saturday, October 7 – 2:00 p.m.
ASAA First National Bowl Series Division I Play In Games
Service (CIC #4) at Chugiak (RBC #1) – Friday, Oct. 6 7:00 p.m.
West Anchorage (CIC #3) at Colony (RBC #2) – Friday, Oct. 6 7:00 p.m.
Lathrop (RBC #3) at Bartlett (CIC #2) – Saturday, Oct. 7 12:00 p.m.
Wasilla (RBC #4) at East Anchorage (CIC #1) – Saturday, Oct. 7 3:00 p.m.