Knights, Warriors host games during second week of regular season

PALMER — Last season, the Colony Knights opened the season with a 47-6 drubbing of Bartlett. Friday, the Knights will see the Golden Bears once again.

Colony, the top-ranked Division I team according to the latest Alaska Sports Broadcasting Network poll, hosts the second-ranked Golden Bears Friday at 7 p.m. at Colony High School.

“This one is big,” Colony head coach Rhett Magner said earlier this week. “Obviously beating them last year in the fashion we did, they’ve had a whole year to stew on it. We know they’re going to be fired up.”

Bartlett, which opened the season with a 42-20 win over Wasilla in Anchorage last week, is Colony’s second straight opponent from Anchorage’s Cook Inlet Conference. The Knights, who beat Service 38-0 in Anchorage last week, also travel to West Anchorage in Week 4.

“I love playing the Anchorage teams. I love the competitiveness, the spirit the kids have,” Magner said.

Magner said lining up against some of the Anchorage schools can by a tough task, but the Knights are up for the test.

“It’s a double-edged sword. I want that competition every single week, but at the same time, those are some big boys’ we’re going against,” Magner said.

But Magner said the Knights will posses the mentality in which they don’t back down from anyone

“Not afraid,” Magner said. “If you have any fear, you’re not going to step on the field for Colony. That’s not how we do things.”

Colony got to Service early, building an early lead in the 38-0 win over the Cougars. Senior quarterback Parker Kizer rushed for 126 yards and two touchdowns on 11 carries, and eclipsed the 100-yard mark in the first quarter. Kaden Jimenez added 101 yards rushing.

Both Colony ad Bartlett had big days on the ground last week. The Knights rushed for 389 yards against Service, and Bartlett finished with 327 against the Warriors.

Eagle River at Wasilla

Friday night, Wasilla will have its sights set on something the Warriors have not accomplished since Sept. 26, 2014.

Earning a win at home.

Wasilla has suffered nine straight losses a home, a streak that dates back to the seventh week of the 2014 season.

“We really want this home victory,” Wasilla head coach Will Stout said earlier this week. “Most of them weren’t even playing varsity (the last time Wasilla won at home). A lot of them weren’t even in high school.”

Wasilla (0-1) will host a Division II Northern Lights squad that beat Ketchikan 55-13 in a nonconference game at Eagle River High School last week. The Warriors held an early lead against Bartlett in Week 1 before the Golden Bears scored 22 second-quarter points.

Despite the 42-20 loss, Stout said he’s excited about what he saw from his Warriors who finished the 2016 season with a 62-12 loss to Bartlett in the first round of the playoffs.

“We worked hard in the offseason to get stronger, get faster and it showed,” Stout said. “Looking at the stats from October when we played them in the playoffs, we’ve improved. I’m pleased with the progression.”

Senior quarterback Aeron Milliron tossed a pair of touchdown passes in the loss, and Sean McDermott rushed for a touchdown.

Kickoff against the Wolves is slated for Friday at 7 p.m. Wasilla High is also hosting its military appreciation night.

Palmer at Service

Division II Palmer aims to rebound on the road during a date with Division I Service Saturday at 4 p.m. at Service High in Anchorage.

Palmer (0-1) was edged by North Pole during the first week of the season. The Moose led 19-0, but the Patriots scored 29 unanswered points to steal the victory. Service suffered a 38-0 loss to Colony last week.

Three different Palmer running backs — Jeff Glynn, Jared Oviok and Larry Cutsforth — found the end zone in the loss.

Redington at Valdez

After earning its first victory in school history last week at Monroe Catholic in Fairbanks, Redington returns to the road to face Valdez Saturday at 1p.m. in Valdez.

Redington head coach Tony Brooke told his Huskies to enjoy the moment, after the first win, but don’t forget about their next opponent.

“Savor it Friday night, Saturday, Sunday. Monday hit the field, time to start focusing on (Valdez),” Brooke said.

Brooke said earning the win during the first week of the season could help the Huskies gain some key momentum early in the season.

“If we don’t let it go to our heads, it’s going to be huge,” Brooke said. “As the coaching staff, that’s our biggest challenge. Make sure they now, you got one, but we’ve got seven more games to play on our schedule.”

Brooke said after its 54-point night against Monroe, opponents are going to be paying more attention.

“Now they know what we are capable of,” Brooke said.

Valdez, of the Division III Aurora Conference, opened its season with a 32-12 loss to Seward.

Houston idle

The Houston Hawks have an unexpected hole in their schedule. Houston was scheduled to host Voznesnka Friday night at Houston High, but Voznesenka forfeited the game.

Houston opened with a 27-20 loss to Juneau-Douglas last week.

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