Yreka 41, Kenai 12
The Kenai Kardinals hosted their first out-of-state opponent in recent memory, taking on the visiting Yreka Miners from Northern California. The Miners are coached by former KCHS head football coach John Marquez, who coached and taught at Kenai from 2011-2015.
When the dust settled, the Kardinals fell in an ugly, chippy game that featured a host of lost fumbles and nearly 10 unsportsmanlike conduct penalties (mostly by the Miners). In the opening seconds of the game, Kenai caught a big break when the Yreka kick returner fumbled the opening kickoff. The Kards were unable to capitalize on the short field, however. They went three-and-out and were forced to punt the ball away.
On Yreka’s second possession, star runningback Trevon Crane led a near-scoring drive, highlighted by a 60+ yard run. The drive, though impressive, only goes in the book as a near-scoring drive, as Crane coughed up the football on the goal line, Kardinals recovered. Once again, though, Kenai was unable to generate any offense.
Yreka never managed to reign in its ball security issues, ultimately losing six fumbles throughout the game. However, that didn’t stop them from capitalizing on a distinct size advantage in the trenches and the Kardinal’s anemic offense. Yreka took a 21-0 lead into the first half and doubled that score in the third and fourth quarters.
The most notable highlight for Kenai came in the opening moments of the third quarter, when the Kards engineered a 65-yard touchdown drive, highlighted by a 42-yard Bobby Hayes run down to Yreka’s goal line. Kenai scored its first points on a touchdown pass from Garrett McCanna to Zane James but failed to convert the PAT.
Kenai added another touchdown as time expired on a mercy-rule running clock in the fourth quarter when McCanna connected with James in the back corner of the end zone.
McCanna, a sophomore, started at QB in place of injured starting QB Tony Perez. Perez suffered his injury during last week’s game against the Barrow Whalers.
Things won’t get much easier for the Kardinals this week when they host the DII Chugiak Mustangs at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday.
Soldotna 35, Teton 7
The Soldotna Stars took care of business on the road against the Teton Timberwolves in a game played inside the Idaho State University dome. It was the first time the Stars traveled out-of-state since 2017, when they faced the Crater Comets in Central Point, Oregon.
It was a new cast of characters on Saturday, but the same result as the 2017 game against the Comets when Soldotna handed a loss to a lower 48 opponent.
The Stars showcased a stingy defense, holding Teton to one three-and-out after another, balanced with the steady efficiency of the Power-T. Soldotna drove the field methodically on drive after drive, picking up chunks of yardage by dominating the line of scrimmage and keeping the Timberwolves on their heels with run misdirection.
Andon Wolverton and Wyatt Faircloth led the offense with a healthy dose of carries, highlighted by a Wolverton untouched 70+ yard touchdown scamper.
Next up, the 3-0 Stars play homecoming host to the 3-0 West Valley Wolfpack at 6:00 p.m. on Friday in a battle of Railbelt Conference undefeated teams.
Nikiski 56, Valez 14
Recap provided by Bob Bird
In the four-school 9-Man football conference, the Nikiski team hosted the Valdez Buccaneers at home on Saturday afternoon and handily defeated a plucky Valdez team 54-14.
Leading the way were the fleet-footed brother duo of Oliver and Kayden Parrish, who broke through for big gains time and time again, many for touchdowns. Quarterback Ethan Ellis was a questionable starter with an ailing knee but delivered an outstanding performance in the first half, including a 54-yard TD pass to Wyatt Maguire.
Defensively, most of the Bulldogs played on both sides of the ball, as did the Buccaneers. Trigger McCaughey made key and convincing tackles and an interception for Nikiski.
The Buccaneers were led by QB and kicker Andrew Baczuk and RB Kyle Peterson. Baczuk made two miraculous punts-on-the-run after receiving poor snaps, ran frequently, and was an obvious exhausted player even before the first half ended. Peterson brought the early 1st quarter score to 16-8 with a 30+ yard run from scrimmage.
Nikiski worked its bench into the 2 nd half, and a mercy clock kept the score lower. This allowed a consolation TD to Valdez late in the game, while Oliver Parrish and Mason Doth supplanted Ellis at QB.
Nikiski has a week off before they head to Seward for a rematch with the Seahawks on Friday, Sept. 13 at 4:00 p.m.
