A look back at the first 39 years of the Potato Bowl

When the Palmer Moose and Wasilla Warriors hit Wasilla High’s Veterans Memorial Field Friday at 7 p.m., the Valley rivals will meet in the regular season for the 40th time.

Potato Bowl 40.

The 40th battle for the coveted Mayor’s Cup, the traveling trophy awarded to the winner each year. It’s arguably the state’s most storied rivalry.

It all started in 1979 when Palmer and Wasilla were set to meet in a varsity game for the first time. Former Palmer head coach Dan Strouse came up with the idea to recognize the annual game that featured, at that point, the only prep football programs in the Valley. Ron Larson, mayor of the Mat-Su Borough in 1979, purchased a trophy from the borough’s office that would become the traveling trophy for the game.

The contest was first known as the Mayor’s Cup.

Years later, former Palmer High School activities director Mike Janecek dubbed the game the Potato Bowl.

“Ask anybody in the state, we grow a lot of potatoes in the Valley,” Janecek told me.

Newcomers to the Valley are sometimes puzzled with the idea that the Valley’s most noted prep event is named after a potato. And while the potato fields may not be as visible, or prevalent, in the Valley as they once were, Janecek said the game helps the community keep a grasp on its history and culture.

“It’s precious,” Janecek said. “We want kids to continue to know what that’s all about, and where we came from.”

As we get ready for Potato Bowl 40, let’s take a look back at the first 39 years of the best annual rivalry in Alaska football.

1979: Palmer 7, Wasilla 6

The first touchdown was scored during the opening moments of a series that is now 40 years old. Palmer’s Ron Richards, on a reverse, returned the opening kickoff 80 yards for a score. Brad Hanson, who would later help Palmer win a state title as an assistant coach, kicked the extra point.

1980: Palmer 12, Wasilla 8

Jim Klebesedel caught a 30-yard Brad Kline touchdown pass to give Palmer the lead. Kline added another touchdown pass, connecting with Kent Ingalls on a 19-yard scoring pass to give Palmer the 12-0 advantage. Wasilla quarterback Todd Smith connected with Dave Tresham on a 22-yard touchdown pass to cut into Palmer’s lead.

1981: Palmer 26, Wasilla 8

Lyle Busbey and Kent Ingalls rushed for touchdowns to lead Palmer to its third straight Potato Bowl win. Wasilla quarterback Todd Smith scored on a 38-yard run.

1982: Palmer 24, Wasilla 20

Palmer needed a rally to beat the Warriors in 1982. Jeff Kline connected with Eddie Gohr on an 18-yard touchdown pass late in the game to give Palmer its first lead, 24-20. John DePriest helped set up the come-from-behind victory with a 14-yard touchdown run.

Wasilla quarterback Jamie Smith and receiver Mark Shanders helped give the Warriors the lead earlier in the game. Smith hit Shanders on a 73-yard scoring pass in the second quarter, and the duo connected again on another touchdown pass late in the first half. Mike Graham gave Wasilla its first lead with a 1-yard touchdown run.

Kline connected with Gohr on a short touchdown pass in the first half. Palmer cut Wasilla’s lead to 14-12 late in the second quarter with a touchdown pass from Kelly Jenkins to Cy St. Amand.

1983: Wasilla 21, Palmer 7

Vic Farris, Jamie Smith and Will Christy each scored to help give Wasilla its first varsity football win over Palmer in school history.

Smith and Christy each ran for touchdowns. Farris returned a fumble 44 yards for a defensive score.

Mickey Hinton scored the lone touchdown for the Moose.

1984: Wasilla 12, Palmer 8; Palmer 6, Wasilla 0

To this day, the 1984 Potato Bowl continues to be a topic of debate. The Palmer-Wasilla game was originally scheduled for the end of the regular season. Before the season, a second game was added at the beginning of the season. Wasilla won that game 12-8, and the Warriors called that game the Potato Bowl. Palmer High School called the second game, a contest Wasilla forfeited, as the Potato Bowl. More than 30 years later, the rivals agree to disagree.

Through 39 years, Palmer claims a 29-10 Potato Bowl record. Wasilla boasts an 11-28 mark. Each school even has a separate placard for the Mayor’s Cup, the traveling trophy.

1985: Palmer 14, Wasilla 13

Wasilla had rallied with 13 unanswered points, but a mixed extra-point in the fourth left the Warriors just short.

Alfred Starr, who still holds Palmer’s single-season passing yards record, three a pair of touchdown passes in the win. Starr hit Mike Zanski for 35 yards, and Joe Horsey for 19 yards.

Kevin Wagner put Wasilla on the scoreboard on the final play of the first half with a 30-yard touchdown pass to Andy Lloyd. Wagner threw another touchdown pass in the second half, a 19-yarder to Craig Pell.

1986: Palmer 13, Wasilla 7

Palmer notched a victory in the first overtime game in Potato Bowl history when Mike Stehlik rushed for an 8-yard touchdown during the extra frame.

Paul Wilson used a 30-yard touchdown run on Palmer’s first play from scrimmage to give the Moose the early lead. Raul Davila helped Wasilla tie the game with a 1-yard run. Davila rushed for a game-high 167 yards in the loss.

1987: Wasilla 12, Palmer 7

Dave Prator scored a pair of touchdowns to give Wasilla the Potato Bowl win. The victory was also Wasilla’s first of the 1987 season.

Paul Reid hauled in a 15-yard Chris Lamb touchdown pass to provide Palmer’s lone score of the game. Prator rushed for 42 yards in the win.

1988: Palmer 22, Wasilla 0

Palmer jumped back into the Potato Bowl win column with a shutout victory.

Fred Chmiel rushed for a game-high 109 yards and a touchdown in the win. Chad Gravely caught a 28-yard touchdown pass from Chip Thompson. Thompson also hit Gary Baker on a 41-yard touchdown pass, Palmer’s first score.

1989: Palmer 14, Wasilla 0

The Moose scored their second straight Potato Bowl shutout in 1989.

Palmer quarterback Chip Thompson ran for a touchdown and threw for another in the win. Thompson connected with Hondo Vizzera on the touchdown pass.

1990: Palmer 29, Wasilla 23

Palmer’s Seth Magner threw a touchdown pass and returned an interception for a score to lead the Moose in 1990.

Palmer’s Blake Livingston caught the 17-yard Magner touchdown. Magner’s defensive score followed and gave Palmer a 26-7 lead.

Wasilla rallied in the second half. Tony Jensen caught a touchdown pass and Doug Vroman rushed for a score.

1991: Wasilla 34, Palmer 7

Wasilla scored its biggest win since the rivalry started in 1979. The Warriors followed Palmer quarterback’s Trent Larson’s 45-yard touchdown pass to Matt Timblin with 28 unanswered points.

Wasilla’s Jason McMillan rushed for three touchdowns. Tony Jensen returned an interception 30 yards for a score. Dominic Malvo added a short touchdown rush.

1992: Palmer 13, Wasilla 7

Rod Christiansen earned his first Potato Bowl victory as Palmer’s head coach in 1992 just days after his oldest son, Collin, was born. Collin is now an assistant coach with Palmer. Christiansen is in his 28th season as head coach, and holds the state record for career wins.

JR Monigold sparked Palmer with a 66-yard touchdown run. Matt Frank added a short score.

Wasilla quarterback Anthony Webster provided his team’s lone score.

1993: Wasilla 34, Palmer 0

Wasilla scored its first shutout win over the Moose in 1993. Linkus Swenson led Wasilla with 140 yards rushing and two scored. Brandon Gaymen added 124 yards and a touchdown.

1994: Palmer 38, Wasilla 6

Palmer rebounded from the loss in 1993, with a big victory in 1994.

Led by Palmer’s dominating offensive front, JR Monigold rushed for 167 yards and three scores.

Reese Everett supplied Wasilla’s lone score, a 15-yard touchdown catch.

1995: Palmer 42, Wasilla 7

En route to earning the Valley’s lone state football title, Palmer beat Wasilla 42-7 in the 1995 Potato Bowl.

Jason Price scored three touchdowns in the win. Palmer quarterback Jared Hann finished 113 yards passing and three scores. Price, Andy Weiland and Billy Abbott caught touchdown passes.

Wasilla’s Nate Dutton threw a touchdown pass to Mark Hite in the loss. Dutton did make school history, becoming the first Wasilla quarterback to throw for 1,000 yards in a season.

1996: Palmer 34, Wasilla 14

Palmer’s Jack Wade rushed for 174 yards and a score during the win. Brandon Buckley added 147 yards rushing and two touchdowns. Palmer’s Jeremiah Richards, a member of the ASAA Hall of Fame, caught a touchdown pas..

Carlos Nogueras led Wasilla with 71 yards and a touchdown.

1997: Palmer 31, Wasilla 6

Palmer’s James Wade scored on his team’s first play from scrimmage, a 66-yard run, and the Moose handed Wasilla its first loss of the 1997 season.

Palmer built an 18-0 first-quarter lead with two Wade touchdowns and Collin Bell interception return for a touchdown.

Wasilla quarterback Joe Mahoney connected with Mark Hite on a touchdown pass late. Ryan Williams led the Moose with 133 yards in the win.

1998: Wasilla 45, Palmer 12

Wasilla earned its first Potato Bowl win in five years behind 466 total yards of offense.

Wasilla outscored the Moose 45-6 after Palmer’s James Wade rushed for 74-yard touchdown run on his team’s third offensive play of the game. Chuck Lincoln led Wasilla with 123 yards rushing, on only 11 carries, and Mario Johnson added 107 yards.

Justin Buzby scored twice. Johnson, Nick Buzby and Joe Mahoney added touchdowns.

1999: Wasilla 24, Palmer 7

Wasilla won consecutive Potato Bowls for the first time with its wins in 1998 and ’99.

The Warriors also scored 24 unanswered points in the victory. Palmer’s Ryan Saunders returned the game’s opening kickoff 87 yards for a score.

Chuck Lincoln led Wasilla with 156 yards and three touchdowns. Justin Buzby added 91 yards and a score.

2000: Palmer 21, Wasilla 0

Palmer snapped its two-game Potato Bowl losing streak with a shutout victory.

Seth Skogstad scored twice for the Moose. Derek Hughes rushed for 161 yards and a touchdown.

2001: Wasilla 19, Palmer 17

Wasilla held on for the victory after Palmer missed a late field goal attempt.

Wasilla’s Jake Carney rushed for a touchdown and threw for a score, connecting with Travis Webb. Lafe Martyn also scored for Wasilla.

Palmer quarterback Charlie Bentti also accounted for a pair of scores. He threw a touchdown pass to Chris Abbott and ran for a short score.

2002: Palmer 21, Wasilla 0

For the second time in three years, Palmer blanked Wasilla 21-0 in the Potato Bowl.

Ali Larijani, who is now an assistant coach with the Moose, rushed for 241 yards and three touchdowns in the win. Cody Schierman led Wasilla with 91 yards receiving.

2003: Palmer 42, Wasilla 0

Palmer scored 35 first-half points in the 25th-annual Potato Bowl.

Palmer rushed for 306 yards in the game. Quarterback Charlie Bentti rushed for a pair of touchdowns. Zach Fox and Mike Weber also rushed for touchdowns. Jeremy Weber returned a touchdown for a score.

2004: Palmer 24, Wasilla 8

Devon Conroy, an all-purpose threat, rushed for a pair of touchdowns and kicked a field goal in the win. Steel Tubbs led Palmer with a game-high 110 yards rushing.

Jake Wade scored Wasilla’s lone touchdown, an 8-yard touchdown catch courtesy of quarterback Zach Bennett.

2005: Palmer 40, Wasilla 0

The Moose posted their third shutout in four Potato Bowls in 2005. Devon Conroy came up big for Palmer for the second straight year, rushing for 107 yards and three scores. Conroy also caught one of Jeremy Weber’s two touchdown passes.

2006: Palmer 27, Wasilla 7

Tanner Grover caught five passes for 132 yards and a score to help the Moose keep the Mayor’s Cup for the fifth straight year. Quarterback Conrad Smith ran and threw for a score. Haakan Bohman led Palmer with 148 yards rushing and a touchdown.

2007: Wasilla 36, Palmer 35

Derek Cottle-Bosch kicked the go-ahead extra point with 25 seconds left to lift the Warriors past the Moose.

The kick capped a 21-point fourth quarter for the Warriors, which included a trio of Chris Crane touchdown runs. Wasilla trailed 29-15 at the end of the third.

Tim Orr led Wasilla with 118 yards receiving. Shannon Sawyer finished with 98 yards rushing and two touchdowns for Palmer.

2008: Palmer 42, Wasilla 14

Three different Palmer — Johnny Daly (119), Brennan Bohman (104) John Scoresby (100) — rushed for more than 100 yards, and helped bring the Mayor’s Cup back to PHS.

Palmer built a 28-7 first-half lead. Mitch Swetzof scored twice for the Moose. Chris Crane caught a 45-yard touchdown pass to lead the Warriors.

2009: Palmer 48, Wasilla 7

Palmer’s Coleman Ahrens rushed for 146 yards and four touchdowns during the win over the Warriors.

John Scoresby and Dustin Silva added rushing touchdowns.

Eric Washington scored Wasilla’s lone touchdown.

2010: Palmer 26, Wasilla 12

Palmer and Wasilla had to wait an extra day to hit the field for the 2010 Potato Bowl. The game, originally slated for Friday night, was moved to Saturday afternoon due to poor air quality in the Palmer area.

Once the teams finally hit the field, Palmer’s Ben King recovered a pair of onside kicks on special teams. Ian Ahrens led Palmer with 104 yards rushing and two touchdowns.

Devon Teeling led Wasilla with 171 yards rushing and two touchdowns.

2011: Wasilla 23, Palmer 22

Wasilla’s Kyler Perry kicked a 30-yard field goal as time expired to give Wasilla the 23-22 win over the Moose. With Perry’s kick and the win, Wasilla scored its first Potato Bowl victory in four years and captured its first conference championship in 12 years.

Devon Teeling finished with 109 yards and a touchdown. Tyler Anderson added a 25-yard touchdown catch for the Warriors.

Jackson Buresh led Palmer with a pair of touchdown runs.

2012: Palmer 41, Wasilla 12

A career night helped Palmer score another Potato Bowl victory. Palmer’s James Nisbett rushed for a career-high 305 yards. Palmer quarterback Cameron Christiansen, now an assistant coach with the Moose, threw a career-best three touchdown passes.

Palmer also used the win to notch its first undefeated regular season since 1996.

Wasilla quarterback Ben Fielder rushed for a touchdown and threw a touchdown pass to Isaiah Dawkins.

2013: Palmer 26, Wasilla 20

Palmer’s Vincent Aumavae scored the go-ahead touchdown with 1 minute, 4 seconds left in regulation to give the Moose the win. Aumavae rushed for a career-high 243 yards and three touchdowns. Cash McGregor led Wasilla with a pair of touchdown runs.

2014: Wasilla 47, Palmer 14

Wasilla’s Mosiah Renk finished with more than 200 yards of total offense and four touchdowns. Devin Otto added a team-high 129 yards and two scores.

Chase Ferris and Wyatt McGann scored touchdowns for Palmer.

2015: Palmer 42, Wasilla 6

Just three years after James Nisbett topped the 300-yard mark in a Potato Bowl, Palmer’s Chase Ferris rushed for a career-high 316 yards during a win over Wasilla. Ferris rushed for four touchdowns, including a 90-yard score.

Palmer scored 42 unanswered points after Wasilla’s Aeron Milliron gave his team the lead with a 32-yard touchdown pass to Jaden Walkenmeyer.

2016: Palmer 21, Wasilla 14

Palmer needed a late defensive stand to preserve a win over the Warriors. Wasilla had the ball, 4th-and-goal at the 7, but the Moose were able to keep the Warriors out of the end zone.

Clayton Southwick rushed for three touchdowns for the Moose. Sean McDermott led Wasilla with a 15-yard score.

2017: Palmer 27, Wasilla 26

Palmer’s Skyler Hale caught a Luke Guggenmos pass in overtime to lift the Moose to a win over the Warriors. Wasilla’s Aeron Milliron threw his third touchdown pass of the game earlier in overtime.

Palmer rallied with a pair of Jeff Glynn touchdown runs in the fourth quarter to force overtime.

Well, that’s 39 years worth of Potato Bowls. Now it’s time to see what Potato Bowl 40 has to offer.

Contact Frontiersman editor Jeremiah Bartz at sports@frontiersman.com.