Knights roll with second half surge

WASILLA -- Forty-two points allowed in the second half plus 150 yards in penalties equaled a devastating loss for the Wasilla Warriors, Friday

The Colony Knights improved to 7-0 on the season with six second half touchdowns in the 55-0 win.

The Knights have outscored opponents 266-20 this season and normally do not need additional help getting into the end zone. But Wasilla gave Colony a few extra shots by drawing 17 penalties in the emotion-filled contest. Wasilla penalties gave Colony several free first downs and thrown flags factored prominently into four of the Knights' offensive scoring drives.

"Once we got up, they started to let it get to them," Colony quarterback Rhett Magner said.

Colony took a 13-0 lead into halftime, but realistically could have led by just seven or faced at tie after two quarters. With a 7-0 lead late in the second quarter, Colony running back Shawn Olivera fumbled on the Knight 21-yard-line and the Warriors thought they had the ball. The ball squirted through the hands of players from each team, but possession was returned to Colony. On the following play, Magner broke through the middle of the line and scampered 79 yards for the touchdown.

"The lineman made a great hole for me," Magner said. "I read the defense and took what they gave me."

After a burst through the hole, Magner broke to the sidelines, sprinting past the interior of the Warrior defense. The Knight senior was able to cut back inside off the heels of a Justin Schwartzbauer block. The block by the Colony receiver allowed Magner to run untouched into the end zone.

After holding Colony to just 13 points and one big play in the first half, Wasilla's woes began before play even started in the second half. The Warriors were charged with delay of game on the second half's opening kickoff and the call started a penalty-filled pattern for Wasilla in the final two quarters. The Knights reached the end zone on each of their five offensive possessions in the second half and added a defensive score.

The Knights also began to click on the offensive end.

"Execution," Colony senior Ricky Cunningham said. "In the second half we got after it and took it to them."

Billy Collins opened the scoring floodgates for the Knights with a 7-yard touchdown on a counter early in the second half. Olivera, Randale Harvey and Jon Stratton added touchdown runs in the final two quarters. Magner also tossed a 4-yard touchdown pass to Schwartzbauer. On the defensive end Kyle Coffman returned an interception 32 yards for a score.

Colony out-gained the Warriors 345-97 in the game. Olivera led the Knights with 126 yards on 14 carries.

With the win, Colony is officially in the playoffs. The Knights are currently tied with North Pole for the top spot in the Railbelt Conference at 4-0 in conference play. Colony hosts the Patriots Saturday in a contest that will decide the Railbelt title.

Wasilla (2-2) currently holds the conference's third spot. With a win over Palmer on Friday, the Warriors would clinch that position. A loss would not completely eliminate the Warriors from the playoff race, but Wasilla would need help to remain alive. A West Valley win over Lathrop would clinch a berth for Wasilla, regardless of the outcome in the

2004 Potato Bowl.

Palmer 24, South 14

Steel Tubbs scored three touchdowns and rushed for 91 yards to lead the Palmer Moose to a 24-14 win over South Anchorage at Machetanz Field, Friday.

Tubbs posted scoring runs of 9, 11 and 16 yards in the contest.

Devon Conroy booted a 33-yard field goal and intercepted a pair of passes on defense.

Houston 20, Nikiski 14

The Houston Hawks improved to 3-2 in Great Land Conference play with a 20-14 win over Nikiski.

With the win, the Hawks remain alive for one of the conference's two playoff berths.

Mallory Smyth, Daniel Harvey and Steven Dubose each ran for touchdowns for the Hawks.