Final: Juneau-Douglas 23, Palmer 13

ANCHORAGE — Juneau-Douglas High School has won the ASAA First National Bowl large-schools state football championship, beating Palmer High 23-13 at Anchorage Football Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

The Crimson Bears jumped out to a 21-0 halftime lead and held on as the Moose outscored them 13-2 in the second half.

After trailing at the half, Palmer found the scoreboard with 5:54 left in the third quarter to cut Juneau’s lead to 21-7. Senior quarterback Conrad Smith followed linemen Drew Frohling and Everest Moore on a 3-yard touchdown run. The score capped a 13-play, 54-yard drive set up by a Palmer fumble recovery.

Juneau-Douglas defensive end Zach Heppner tackled Smith in the end zone for a safety with 7:55 left to play in regulation to put the Crimson Bears ahead 23-7.

Senior fullback Shannon Sawyer scored a 1-yard touchdown run on fourth down for Palmer. A two-point conversion attempt failed.

The contest marked the second time JDHS posted a state championship win over Palmer. The Bears beat Palmer 49-29 in the 2005 title game. Palmer has now played in the championship four times.

The Moose finish the season 6-5 overall, and advanced to the final despite a 1-3 start.

See www.frontiersman.com for continued updates, and the Sunday edition of the Frontiersman for full coverage of the championship bout.