Larijani redefining the term "clutch"

There are some players a coach can just count on in dire situations.

One of those players is Palmer senior Ali Larijani.

The all-conference fullback and linebacker has consistently made plays clutch plays on both sides of the ball this season, helping lead the Moose to a 7-2 record and a spot in the 4A state semifinals.

"Ali plays both ways through the entire game and still has the energy to come up big in the fourth quarter. That's really a commendable thing," Palmer head coach Rod Christiansen said.

Larijani established himself as one of the top players in the state the very first week of the season. With his team underdogs against the two-time defending state champion Dimond Lynx, Larijani scored both an offensive and defensive touchdowns in Palmer's 20-13 win over Dimond.

In the contest, Larijani ran for 98 yards and a touchdown on offense and recovered a fumble, picked off a pass and scored a touchdown on defense.

Larijani's heroics did not stop after the first week.

He has gone on to rush for over 1,000 yards this season and score 17 touchdowns. And that is just on the offensive side of the ball.

On defense, Larjiani -- the outside linebacker -- can usually be seen around the ball, wreaking havoc on opposing ball carriers.

Larijani had possibly his finest game of his career in arguably Palmer's most important game of the season. In the annual Potato Bowl, with playoff seeding on the line, Larijani broke out for 241 yards rushing and three touchdowns against the Warriors.

The win gave Palmer the right to host Wasilla in the first round of the playoffs.

Larijani continued to be a thorn in the sides of the Wasilla Warriors last week as he rushed for 110 yards and two touchdowns and blocked a punt on special teams, leading Palmer to a 15-8 come-from-behind victory.