Football legacy transcends wins, losses at PHS

Community. It's all about community. Ten years ago today, a well-coached bunch of football players from Palmer High School went out and capped an undefeated season with a 12-7 state championship game victory over Chugiak. It was a feat that many around the state thought could not be done - a little Valley school completing a perfect season by manhandling three Anchorage schools in the playoffs.

The players on that team knew better, though. After the game, lineman Alex Strawn told this newspaper, &#8220We had faith in ourselves and faith in each other.” Fellow lineman D.J. Maupin, now an Army sergeant with 13 months in Iraq under his belt, also attributed the stunning victory to faith: &#8220We just believed in our team,” he said.

On Saturday, the Palmer Moose football team returns to the state championship game against a heavily favored Juneau squad. As they were 10 years ago, the Moose are led by head coach Rod Christiansen and assistants Brad Hanson and Keith Armstrong.

The three have become synonymous with Palmer football, not only for their undeniable prowess with Xs and Os, but also for their commitment to the community they grew up in themselves and their emphasis on molding not just great football players, but also great people.

In a special section to this edition of the Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman that commemorates Palmer's 1995 state championship, several players from that team share their thoughts on how their perception of that success has changed through the prism of time and experience. To a person, they commended the coaches for the sense of team and of family that they brought to the field every day. Each commented as well on how the best lessons they learned playing Palmer High School football were lessons that continue to serve them as adults.

Many have long since left the Valley and are scattered around the country, working as professionals, pursuing advanced degrees, serving their country in Iraq, and, in one case, training as an Air Force pilot. Others have returned to the community and are giving back, each in his own way. All are a tribute not only to their families, but to the coaches, teachers and community that nurtured them and taught them the value of working hard as a team for a common goal.

When Palmer won the state title 10 years ago, it truly was a community event. The celebration that followed brought out all kinds of folks to the train depot, where the heroes of the day were honored.

It's that same sense of community that will follow this year's Moose onto the gridiron Saturday at Anchorage Football Stadium. In a sports world often ridiculously out of kilter and tainted by dubious personalities, Palmer football stands for all that is good and right, solid and substantial in the realm of athletics.

Bill Abbott, who played wide receiver on the 1995 championship team, summed it up best earlier this week when he pointed out the life lessons he learned as a player. As good as it felt winning that year, he said, &#8220looking back on it, it wouldn't have made a difference if we won or lost.”

We wish Christiansen, Hanson, Armstrong and all the Palmer Moose the best of luck on Saturday. If history is any guide, their players are already winners.