Cougars edge Redington Huskies

WASILLA — The Redington Huskies defense shined all night, but it was the Voznesenka defense that came through with one final stand.

Moments after Redington safety Jaycob Elliott picked off a Voznesenka pass with 1 minute, 40 seconds left in regulation to put the Huskies in position to go for the go-ahead score, the Cougars defense forced a sack on fourth down to preserve a 12-8 win over the Huskies Friday night at Redington Jr./Sr. High School.

“It was by far the most intense battle we’ve had,” Redington head coach Tony Brooke said. “It was down to the wire. We had a chance at the end, but couldn’t pull through.”

In a match of the state’s youngest football programs, Vozneseka used its go-ahead score early in the third quarter to record its first win since the Cougars inaugural season in 2013. Redington is a first-year varsity program.

“We asked them to play four quarters of football, go toe to toe with a very tough team that has some of the same obstacles we have,” Brooke said. “Those kids are tough on the other side of the football.”

Redington led first in the game, using a Sam Reed touchdown run to take the early advantage. Reed also used a quarterback sneak on the 2-point conversion to give the Huskies the 8-0 lead.

While Redington has had more success on offense in prior weeks, Brooke said it was his defense that really stood out against the Cougars.

“The reason we were in that game from start to finish was how our defense played,” Brooke said. “This group has been pretty beaten up all season, as far as giving up long plays, huge chunks of field.”

Elliott finished with a pair of interceptions for the Huskies, who forced four turnovers in the loss.

“The frustrating thing for us, we were plus-4 in the turnover battle and lost,” Brooke said. “We were not able to capitalize on those, and that was tough.”

Patrick Winegarden also picked off a pass for the Huskies.

“He came to play,” Brooke said of the defensive back.

Brooke also noted the work of linebackers Eli Benson and Colten Hess, and defensive linemen Isaac Carlson-Hamo and TJ Laumantai.

The Cougars, who hail from a small unincorporated community about 25 miles north of Homer, scored prior to the half to cut Redington’s lead to 8-6. Early in the second half, Brooke said, Voznesenka, aided by great field position, was able to find the end zone for the second time in the game to take the 12-8 lead.

Redington (0-5) travels to Homer to face the Mariners Saturday at 2 p.m.

Contact Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman sports editor Jeremiah Bartz at sports@frontiersman.com.