Knights score another big win, blank Warriors

WASILLA — Typically when a coach designs a special package for the defensive line, it involves the addition of the big, lane clogging interior lineman to the group.

But for the last few weeks, the Colony Knights have shown a different look along their front line. The Knights are adding speed to the defensive front, regardless how big — or in this case how small — the player is.

Last week it was Zane Vrvillo.

This week, it was Braden Bowker, typically a running back, listed at 5-foot-6 and 165 pounds on the roster.

The strategy worked.

A week after Wasilla rushed for 414 yards, Bowker and the Colony defensive line helped the Knights hold Wasilla to only 111 yards rushing during a 50-0 win over the Warriors Friday at Wasilla High School.

“They did a great job. I’m really proud of them,” Colony veteran lineman Cooper Sant said of the play of Vrvillo last week and Bowker against the Warriors. “He went in, grabbed ankles, tripped up everyone in the middle, made it easier for the linebackers to get to them.”

Colony head coach Rhett Magner said there are a few reasons for that game plan.

“It’s good for a bunch of different reasons. It’s a way to get kids on the field and it gives them confidence,” Magner said. “Those kids who aren’t always starters or in the limelight, it gets them on the field part of it, a reason for our success. It gives them an opportunity, and they capitalize.”

Pinning the 5-6 Bowker between linemen such as Sant and Isaiah Christy, who both stand about 6-2, is also something the Knights have had fun with, Magner said.

“They love it. All week at practice when we were rep’en it, they were hooting, they were hollering. It was one of the most fun weeks of practice we had so far,” Magner said.

But it wasn’t just a gimmick. The addition of Bowker to the line helped Colony contain Wasilla’s ground game.

“He did his job. He did exactly what we was supposed to do,” Magner said.

It was all part of the week preparing for Wasila’s double-wing attack that generated more than 1,000 yards rushing during the first half of the regular season.

“We knew they were going to pound the rock. We knew we had to defend the run, try to take away their bread and butter, which is (Aeron) Milliron. That’s a big, strong, fast kid,” Magner said.

Milliron, who scored three times last week, rushed for 70 yards on 18 carries.

“I know Aeron Milliron’s a big dude. He’s hard to bring down when he goes around that edge, but we were able to stop it,” Sant said.

The Knights were only able to stop Milliron for negative yardage once, but Colony did stop the Warriors for negative yardage 14 times during the game.

“They’re good, but there’s a way to stop them,” Sant said.

Meanwhile on the offensive side, Colony finished with 349 yards of total offense en route to its second 50-point night of the season. With its fast-paced no huddle attack, Colony averaged nearly eight yards per carry and finished with 280 yards rushing.

“We just fly around, even the linemen,” Sant said. “We have to all be fast and conditioned, just as much as the skill players. We fly around and get after it.”

Cade Havel and Dawson Nash rushed for three touchdowns each during the win. Havel finished with 95 yards on the ground and Nash added 82 on only five carries.

Quarterback Parker Kizer also connected with receiver Caleb Bailey on a 33-yard touchdown pass.

Wasilla’s Nick Alexander added 52 yards rushing to Milliron’s 70.

With the win, Colony improved to 4-1 overall and 1-0 in Railbelt Conference play. Wasilla dropped to 2-3 overall and 1-1 in conference.

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

Colony 50, Wasilla 0

Friday, Wasilla High

First quarter:

Colony — Nash 58 run (Krozel kick) 7:35.

Colony — Havel 1 run (Krozel kick) 3:27.

Colony — Bailey 33 pass from Kizer (Krozel kick) 0:41.

Second quarter:

Colony — Havel 22 run (Krozel kick) 9:14.

Third quarter:

Colony — Havel 34 run (Krozel kick) 10:02.

Colony — Nash 15 run (run good) 6:36.

Fourth quarter:

Colony — Nash 4 run (Krozel kick) 8:13.

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS:

RUSHING — Colony: Havel 12-95, Kizer 10-29, Nash 5-82, C. Pead 5-48, Hessinger 4-14, Lorentz 1-12; Wasilla: Milliron 18-70, McDermott 10-(-4), Hongslo 8-(-33), Alexander 7-52, Cork 3-15, Drumm 1-1.

PASSING — Colony: Kizer 3-7-0—69, N. Pead 0-1-0—0; Wasilla: Honglso 1-3-0—14.

RECEIVING — Colony: Bailey 1-33, C. Pead 1-23, Pomrenke 1-13; Wasilla: Milliron 1-14.