Week four of the high school football season proved positive for the central peninsula; as SoHi, Kenai and Nikiski all recorded victories with conference wins for the Stars and Bulldogs.
SoHi 49 – Kodiak 14
A 400+ yard offensive output, for most considered an outstanding day, for the Stars was just their season average; as the Soldotna Stars dominated Kodiak 49-14 to improved to 4-0 on the season, 1-0 in the Northern Lights Conference and 33-0 for the state’s longest winning streak.
SoHi started slowly, for the Stars, scoring on its first drive on a 10-yard Mason Prior run and adding a touchdown to start the second quarter on a Kristian Palaniuk 11-yard touchdown run. Following an on-side kick recovery, the Stars quarterback Dylan Simon connected with Trevor Walden for a 17-yard score. Add a quarterback bootleg by Austin Crowder and the Stars lead 28-7 at the half (Kodiak scored with :08 left in the half).
SoHi found the end zone three times in the third quarter before the game went to running clock. Palaniuk caught a Simons’ pass for a 37-yard TD reception; Palaniuk, a 3-yard TD run; and Brenner Furlong added a 7-yard TD run. Kodiak scored late with a quarterback run by Andreas Carros.
Final Score: SoHi 49 – Kodiak 14
The Stars seven ball carriers rushed for a combined 260+ yards and five touchdowns. Simons passed for 140 and two touchdowns.
The Stars travel to Palmer on Friday to face the Palmer Moose in a Northern Lights Conference showdown under the lights scheduled for 7:00 p.m.
Kenai 63 – Houston 6
The Kenai Kardinals returned home following a road win at Kodiak for a non-conference game against Houston on Friday at Ed Hollier Field.
The Kardinals scored four touchdowns on their first four offensive plays, en-route-to a 63-6 victory over Houston. Andrew Wellborn score on a 68-yard run on the first play from scrimmage and after Kenai recovered an on-side kick, Wellborn scored on a 44-yard run; two touchdowns on two plays. Following a kick return fumble, Kenai’s Nick Beeson scored on a 3-yard run and Zack Tuttle added a scored on a 40-yard carry. Four plays, four touchdowns for the Kardinals. Chase Gillies added an 86-yard touchdown run and Zack Koziczkowski recovered a fumble in the end zone for a touchdown. First Quarter score 42-0
Kenai added a pair of touchdowns by Draiden McMinn and an interception return for a touchdown by Avery Heiber.
Kenai rushed for 300+ yards on only 25 carries and the Kardinals defense recorded four interceptions and two fumble recoveries.
Kenai improves to 2-1 on the season and stands at 1-0 in the Northern Lights Conference.
Kenai travels to Eagle River on Saturday for an afternoon game against NLC opponent Eagle River Wolves.
Nikiski 52 – Voznesenka 0
The Bulldogs pushed the 400 yards of total offense plateau in a 52-0 Peninsula Conference victory over Voznesenka.
Nikiski rushed for over 250 yards, lead by Matt Minium with 104 on three carries and one touchdown; Rykker Riddall added 63 yards and a rushing touchdown. Quarterback Cade Anderson threw for three touchdowns; a pair to Dylan Broussard and one to Riddall. Anderson amassed 147 passing yards on 7 for 7 passing.
Nikiski improves to 3-1 on the season and 2-0 in the Peninsula Conference.
Nikiski will play Houston at Nikiski on Saturday.
