Big play in the fourth quarter helps Colony score win over rival Wasilla

PALMER — For more than three quarters, the Colony Knights were looking for that big, game-breaking play on the offensive side of the ball. Early in the fourth, the Knights found it.

Freshman quarterback Marley Fakatoumafi connected with senior receiver Trevor Jamison on a 56-yard catch and run for a touchdown. The score helped Colony secure a 17-7 homecoming win over rival Wasilla Friday night at Colony High School.

“Marley did really well. He’s got an arm. (Jamison) can run especially in the open field,” Colony head coach Robbie Nash said after the win.

The Jamison touchdown was part of a 10-point fourth quarter for the Knights. Upset-minded Wasilla, a Division II program, had held the defending Division I state champs to only an early touchdown until the final nine minutes of regulation.

“Matt Jaronik, he’s a great coach. He always puts together a great gameplan,” Nash said of Jaronik, Wasilla’s head coach.

Fakatoumafi and Jamison connected twice during the win. Jamison also caught a 21-yard touchdown pass early in the first quarter to give the Knights a 7-0 lead.

Colony kicker Johnny Figgens added a 41-yard field goal late in the game.

Colony is still without its starting signal caller, Jack Nash, who was injured earlier this season. Nash, the reigning Gatorade Alaska Player of the Year, had nearly 800 yards of total offense and nine total touchdowns before he was injured. Fakatoumafi is one of a handful of players Colony has lined up behind center.

“Last week at Juneau we used four different quarterbacks, we used three tonight,” Nash said.

The Knights have also used seven different running backs.

“We’re building depth going into the playoffs,” Nash said.

Colony improved to 4-3 overall and is 3-3 in the Division I Cook Inlet Conference. The Knights host Dimond in the regular season finale Friday at 7 p.m.

Fakatoumafi completed 7 of 13 passes for 148 yards and two scores. Jamison had 95 of those yards on three catches.

The Wasilla defense held the Knights to 81 yards rushing on 30 carries.

Wasilla senior quarterback Isaiah Smith led the Warriors with 138 yards on 20 carries. He added 38 yards passing, including a 5-yard touchdown strike to Ryan Mikkelson in the first half to tie the score at 7.

The Warriors dropped to 2-5 overall, and a 2-4 in Division II play. Wasilla closes its regular season hosting Palmer in the annual Potato Bowl Friday at 7 p.m.

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