Knights score big win over rival Wasilla

WASILLA — It hasn’t been the easiest season for the Colony Knights. Colony started 1-4 overall and 0-2 in Chugach Conference play. Facing a must-win situation against its chief rival, Colony went back to basics.

Run the football and play tough defense.

And it worked.

The Knights rushed for more than 200 yards, pitched the shutout on defense, and scored a key 14-0 win over the Wasilla Warriors Friday night at Wasilla High School.

“We realized we had to do some things. Some things were not working. We made some changes,” Colony head coach Robbie Nash said after the win.

Senior Ridge Raval carried Colony’s run-heavy attack, churning a game-best 178 yards on a career-high 34 carries. Raval scored an 11-yard touchdown run with 5 minutes, 23 seconds left to play to provide insurance for the Knights.

“The plan was to try to put an offensive scheme that we could run to either side,” Nash said. “Run it down their throat. Concentrate on first downs.”

Michael Bradley, who was also featured in Colony’s new wishbone look, added 61 yards on 14 tries. Colony quarterback Ryan Murphy used a first-half touchdown run to give the Knights the 7-0 lead.

“The changes we made, the confidence in our kids really changed,” Nash said. “They gave me four quarters of good, confident Colony football.”

Colony controlled the time of possession. The Knights finished with 61 offensive plays, nearly 20 more than Wasilla’s 42. The Knights defense held Wasilla to 87 yards rushing and 52 yards passing.

“I’m pretty proud of these guys,” Nash said.

Nash also gave Wasilla credit for its play.

“Wasilla played tough. They’re a tough football team. Hats off to the Wasilla team,” Nash said. “They did not give up on anything.”

Quarterback Colton Lindquist led Wasilla with 83 yards rushing, and finished 8 of 14 for 52 yards passing. Kellin Gibbs caught four passes for 27 yards.

Colony, which hosts Chugach rival Juneau Friday at 7 p.m., improved to 1-2 in conference play. Wasilla, which travels to Bartlett Saturday, dropped to 0-3 in conference. Chugiak remains at the top of the Chugach with a 3-1 mark despite a 21-7 home loss to Juneau Friday. Juneau improved to 2-0 in conference play. Bartlett stands at 1-1. Colony moved into fourth place with the win over Wasilla. The top four teams in the conference advance to the Division I playoffs.

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