Knights defense stellar as Colony extends winning streak

PALMER — Before the 2015 season, first-year Colony head coach Rhett Magner gave his Knights a list of goals to focus on.

Win the Railbelt Conference.

Host a playoff game.

Win the Valley.

A week after clinching the Railbelt crown, the Knights put the checkmark next to another goal. Colony, which blanked Palmer 24-0 earlier this season, improved to 2-0 against Valley foes with a 28-7 win over Wasilla at Colony High School Friday.

“We’re checking some goals off the list,” Magner said after the win.

Magner’s Knights used the 7-0 victory at West Valley last week to clinch the conference title, and home field advantage in the large-schools quarterfinals last week. Friday’s win gave the Knights the sweep against Valley opponents.

“Owning the Valley is No. 1 on our priority list,” Magner said. “We had to wait until almost the end of the season to do it, but we got it done.”

Colony junior linebacker Nolan Martin said these goals have been the focus throughout the season.

“That’s what we pride ourselves on, since the beginning of the season,” Martin said. “We’ve got a couple of our goals, and there are a couple more to get.”

The Colony offense produced four rushing touchdowns as the Knights improved to 5-2 overall and 3-0 in the Railbelt. But the play of the Colony defense continued to be the team’s top storyline. The Knights, who have allowed only 28 total points during their five-game winning streak, forced six Wasilla turnovers.

“Colony football, it’s been all about defense since we were little all the way up to now,” Martin said. “That’s what we work on.”

Colony also nearly pitched its third shutout of the season. Wasilla’s lone touchdown Friday came when Warriors defensive lineman Paul Mata’u recovered a Colony fumble in the end zone with 42 seconds left in the second quarter. Colony boasts the top scoring defense in the large-schools class, allowing 12.4 points per game. Colony has allowed only 5.6 points per game during its five-game winning streak.

Colony intercepted five Wasilla passes in the win, and recovered a fumble.

“Last couple of games, one of our main goals is forcing turnovers,” Martin said. “It’s been working.”

Parker Kizer led the Knights with two interceptions. Jordan Nero and Steven Bilafer also had interceptions. A.J. Walling, a defensive reserve, also picked off a Wasilla pass.

“Every game, it’s another person stepping up. Every single game it’s another person. Our long snapper got an interception tonight. It was awesome,” Magner said of Walling.

Nero led the Knights offense with 139 yards and a score. Nero sprinted for a 58-yard score in the second quarter. Bilafer added 79 yards and two touchdowns. Bilafer ran for a 54-yard run on his first carry of the game. Kizer added a 15-yard touchdown, that also came on his first carry in the contest.

Wasilla dropped to 0-3 in the Railbelt and 0-7 with the loss. Nick Alexander led the Warriors with 30 yards rushing.

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

Colony 28, Wasilla 7

Sept. 25, Colony High School

First quarter:

Colony — Bilafer 54 run (kick good) 8:06.

Second quarter:

Colony — Bilafer 3 run (kick good) 8:11.

Colony — Nero 58 run (kick good) 3:52.

Wasilla — Mata’u fumble recovery in end zone (kick good) 0:42.

Third quarter:

Colony — Kizer 15 run (kick good) 3:39.

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS:

RUSHING — Wasilla: Alexander 13-30, Milliron 10-22, Lee 6-(-8), Hongslo 4 (-6), Uti 3-2; Colony: Nero 12-139, Havel 11-66, Bilafer 10-79, Nash 7-9, Kizer 6-26, Hessinger 2-19, Bowker 2-5.

PASSING — Wasilla: Hongslo 2-9-4—26, Milliron 0-2-1—0; Colony: Bilafer 1-3-1—7.

RECEIVING — Wasilla: Lee 1-18, Detherow 1-8; Colony: Nash 1-7.