Knights, Warriors battling for bragging rights, playoff spot

What is the best word to describe the Colony-Wasilla prep football rivalry?

Intense? Spirited?

I’m a member of the generation that is clinging to the belief that the Potato Bowl, and the Palmer-Wasilla rivalry, is still the most important thing in Valley football. But I am also part of that generation that knows what life was like with only two prep football teams in the area, the Moose and the Warriors. I’ve been around Valley football for nearly 30 seasons now, the last 18 as an editor for the Frontiersman. In that time, I’ve learned that the number of Wasilla and Colony players favoring that matchup over the games against Palmer grew rapidly. That was reinforced when Palmer was moved to the Division II level when ASAA added a third classification.

Colony and Wasilla will meet for the 29th time Friday night when the rivals clash at 7 p.m. at Veterans Memorial Field. Obviously there are the bragging rights. But more than that, this game will most likely determine which team will be playing playoff football in October and which will be watching from the stands. Both teams are off to 0-2 starts in Chugach Conference play. But it’s a five-team conference with four playoff berths. As ridiculous as it sounds, a one-win team could advance to the postseason. Neither team will be mathematically eliminated with a loss. But whichever teams falls Friday night will see its playoff hopes take a major hit.

Chugiak is rolling in the driver’s seat, 5-0 overall and 3-0 in conference play. Juneau is 1-0, and also plays Chugiak Friday. The Huskies are at Colony next week and cap the regular season against Bartlett. Bartlett is 1-1, and plays Wasilla and Juneau during the final two weeks.

The current cast of the Warriors will also be looking for their first varsity win over Colony of their careers. Colony is 17-11 all-time against Wasilla. The Knights have won four straight, including a 42-7 victory last season. Wasilla last beat Colony 50-20 in 2014.

After a big conference win at home, Palmer makes the first of two straight trips north. The Moose face West Valley Friday at 7 p.m. in Fairbanks. The Moose are now part of the Division II Railbelt Conference, which features four teams. Half of the conference will advance to the postseason. The Moose, who beat North Pole at Machetanz Field last week, took the first step toward the postseason with the victory over the Patriots. Palmer plays at West Valley and Lathrop in back-to-back weeks. The Moose need to split to be in playoff contention and a sweep of the two games to win the Railbelt title.

Another thought.

Two wins in Fairbanks would mean Palmer would not have to make the trek to SoHi to play the Stars in the first round of the DII playoffs.

The Houston Hawks made school history with their first 5-0 start with the win over Seward. Houston now looks to extend that record Friday at Nikiski. Redington returns home after the tough loss at Eielson, and will host Valdez Friday at 7 p.m.

Both the Hawks and Huskies are still very much alive in the DIII playoff race, and the Hawks have an opportunity to win a conference title.

Contact Frontiersman managing editor Jeremiah Bartz at sports@frontiersman.com.