The Battle of Champions, pitting the Medium School football champion Soldotna Stars against the Large School football champion South Anchorage, provide a memorable and historic contest at Soldotna High School on Alaska’s opening football Friday night.
SoHi defeated South 21-17, holding off the Wolverines for the entire second half for the victory in a showdown of 2014 champions.
The Stars football program recorded a state record 30th straight victory, a winning streak dating back to August 2012. SoHi held the record at 29 wins with East Anchorage from the late 1990’s and with themselves set in 2009.
SoHi 21 – South 17
The Stars dominated the first half and held-on in the second half to survive a 21-17 victory over the South Anchorage Wolverines.
SoHi scored three, first half touchdowns including a 3-yard touchdown run by Kristian Palaniuk and a 7-yard touchdown pass from Dylan Simons to Trevor Walden for a 14-7 first quarter lead. SoHi added a 3-yard touchdown run by Mason Prior for a 21-7 halftime lead.
South closed to 21-17 with an 81-yard TD run in the third quarter and a 37-yard field goal in the fourth.
SoHi’s final drive was capped by an 18-yard run by Mason Prior for a first down which allowed the Stars to run-out the final 2:00 minutes for the 21-17 win.
The 30th, straight SoHi victory is the latest accomplishment for the Stars, for head coach Galen Brantley and the SoHi coaching staff. Coach Brantley’s teams are 77-5 since 2007, including five undefeated seasons and SoHi has recorded seven state championships in the past nine years.
The Stars continue challenging Large School opponents with a Friday night contest at Colony High on Friday, August 21st and a scheduled game at Service High on Saturday, August 29th.
Nikiski 15 – Kodiak 25
The Nikiski Bulldogs opened at home with a non-divisional game against Kodiak. The Bears down the Bulldogs 25-15.
Kenai 6 – Bartlett 40
Kenai hosted Bartlett in a non-divisional game at KCHS. The Golden Bears defeated the Kardinals 40-6 on Saturday.
Kenai opened the scoring with a 68-yard opening drive with Andrew Welborn scoring on a 1-yard touchdown run. Chase Gillies rushed for over 100 yards on the day.
Bartlett lead 14-6 at the half and added five, second half touchdowns.
