Houston opens with NLC battle

HOUSTON — The Wasilla Warriors, Colony Knights and Palmer Moose will open the 2011 season this weekend with nonconference games. But the Houston Hawks will head right into Northern Lights Conference play.

Sure, it’s a challenge to face a rival right off the bat, but as far as Houston head coach Norm Bouchard is concerned, it doesn’t matter.

“It doesn’t change things. We’re still preparing to play football,” Bouchard said Thursday of the Hawks, who open the season at home tonight against the Kodiak Bears at 7 p.m. at Houston High.

Bouchard said the Hawks realize this game in early August could impact what Houston may or may not be doing in October, but the longtime head coach doesn’t want that to get between his players and their preparation.

“There’s more on the table,” Bouchard said. “It doesn’t just affect Week 1.”

Houston is facing a Kodiak squad that finished 3-5 overall and 1-4 in NLC play last season. The Bears return a strong group of upperclassmen, including running backs Charles Johnson and Brandon Canete, but that’s not what Houston is dwelling on.

“We’re more focused on what we’re doing, more than what Kodiak’s doing,” Bouchard said.

Houston is busy making the transition to new styles on offense and defense. The Hawks implemented the veer attack on offense and have gone to a 5-3 base formation on defense.

“The timing is coming together,” Bouchard said.

Knowing there is a quality group of veterans returning, the Hawks coaching staff opted to make these changes this year. A senior class led by players such as quarterback Beau Frank, end Colton Buzby, fullback and linebacker Tyler Barron and lineman Phillip Pease will play key roles for the new look Hawks.

The Hawks will be without one key member of the squad, junior Charlie Buzby, who suffered an injury during the first week of practice. But Bouchard is looking to Hunter Smith and Russ Ruta to step in and play greater roles.

Houston participated in the Chugiak Stampede, a preseason set of scrimmages at Chugiak High last Saturday. Even though the jamboree included mostly large-school programs, Bouchard said he though the small-schools Hawks fared pretty well.

“We looked good against other teams. It was not always against (the other team’s) starters, but they were all still 4A football players,” Bouchard said.

Overall, Bouchard said the Hawks have the potential for success.

“I think we can compete,” Bouchard said. “Can we go four quarters? We just haven’t done that yet.”

Tonight’s game will mark Houston’s first game on a Friday night in school history. Before this year, every Houston home game was slated for Saturday afternoon. But when stadium lights were installed in April, that changed things.

Depending on the weather, there may be no need for lights tonight, but Bouchard said regardless, Houston High will commemorate the occasion by turning on the new lights at halftime.

Dimond at Colony

Colony graduated more than 20 seniors from a team that won the Railbelt Conference last season. But despite those losses, Colony head coach Brian McIntosh said he’s feeling pretty good about the group of athletes the Knights have this year.

“We’re looking pretty good,” McIntosh said of the Knights, who open their 2011 season against Dimond Saturday at 7 p.m. at CHS. “I like what we’re seeing.”

Like Wasilla, Colony has well over 100 players in the program this year.

“We don’t even have enough gear for everybody,” McIntosh said. “It’s pretty impressive.”

Junior quarterback Robert Lorentz will take the reigns of the Knights offense. Senior Ty Farber is expected to lead the defense from his middle linebacker position.

An offensive line that includes seniors Derek McEwen, Andrew McCalister and AC Schmer could be key for the Knights.

Dimond and Colony played twice last season. The Lynx upset Colony in overtime in Anchorage during the first weekend of 2010. Colony beat Dimond in the first round of the playoffs at Colony High.

“They’re fast and big,” McIntosh said of the Lynx. “They’ve got big boys up front, way bigger than our boys.”

Skyview at Wasilla

While the Houston Hawks are starting their season with new offensive and new defensive systems at their home field with brand new lights, a new era also begins at Wasilla High this season.

First-year head coach Kent Rilatos will officially lead his team onto the field for the first time Saturday as the Wasilla Warriors host the Skyview Panthers at 2 p.m. at Wasilla’s Veterans Memorial Field.

Rilatos took over a team that finished 2-6 overall last season and 1-5 in Railbelt Conference play. Despite recent struggles, interest in Wasilla High seems as strong as ever. More than 125 players hit the field for the first week of practice.

“I’m really excited to have that many kids out,” Rilatos said recently. “It allows us to do some many things.”

Among those 125-plus players are a number of key veterans, including seniors Devon Teeling, Braydon Kuiper, Tyler Anderson and Ryan Pomrenke.

Teeling led the Warriors with 665 yards and eight touchdowns as a junior last season, and is expected to be Wasilla’s primary runner this year. Kuiper split time at quarterback last season with graduated senior AJ Marshall, but could be the opening day starter for Wasilla. Anderson should be key for Wasilla at wide receiver and safety. Pomrenke, along with fellow returning starters Allen Bosch and Austin Ring, will lead the Warriors up front.

Skyview, 6-2 overall and 3-2 in the Northern Lights Conference last season, advanced to the small-schools playoffs. The Panthers suffered a 12-6 loss to Eielson in the quarterfinals.

Palmer at East Anchorage

Palmer is the lone Valley team on the road this weekend, opening the season against East Anchorage Saturday at 7 p.m. at Anchorage Football Stadium.

The Moose, the only Valley team ranked in the first Alaska Sports Broadcasting Network football poll of the season, return a number of veterans for a 2010 team that advanced to the large-schools quarterfinals.

Senior quarterback Jackson Buresh and senior offensive tackle Ben Self — a pair of first-team all-state selections last season — lead the returners. Senior running back and linebacker Ian Ahrens, senior running back and defensive back Doug Chadwick and senior lineman Kade Owens are among the top players returning for the Moose.

East Anchorage is led by first-year head coach Jeff Trotter.

Contact Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman sports editor Jeremiah Bartz at sports@frontiersman.com. Follow him on Twitter at twitter.com/matsu_sports.