Malemutes rally to edge Moose

FAIRBANKS — When Palmer’s Jared Layton broke through the line of scrimmage with less than four minutes left in the fourth quarter on Friday night, it appeared as though the running back had a clear lane to the end zone.

Instead, Lathrop free safety Garrius Maiden chased down and tackled Layton from behind. That tackle and the ensuing defensive stand preserved the Malemutes 28-26 Railbelt Conference win, giving the Malemutes their first conference title since 1998.

“Palmer, they’re a hell of a team. They came to play tonight,” Maiden said. “They were the team to knock out. It means wonders to us that we won conference and we’re the best in 4A in our conference right now.”

The Malemutes (5-1, 3-0 Railbelt Conference) trailed 20-14 at halftime before running back Travis Phillips scored twice in the second half.

Phillips scored on 24-yard touchdown run in the third quarter. After Chase Ferris regained the lead for the Moose at 26-21 with a 26-yard run, Phillips struck again for the game-winning score 18 seconds into the fourth quarter.

Phillips scored from 10 yards out, stretching across the goal line as he was hit, to give the Malemutes the lead for good.

Phillips finished with 131 yards rushing on 12 carries and two touchdowns.

“It feels good to win,” Phillips said. “I thank my offensive line, I thank my quarterback for making god decisions.”

Ferris ran for 163 yards on 26 carries on the touchdown. Ferris ran for 119 of those yards in the second half.

“Our defense made a good stop at the end. They made it happen, not me,” Phillips said.

The Moose (1-5, 0-2 Railbelt Conference) got on the board first with 6:44 left in the first quarter when Layton, who finished with 82 yards rushing on nine carries, ran into the end zone from 15 yards out.

The Malemutes tied the game with Glenn Maiden found Sergio Salcido for an 11-yard touchdown pass. Glenn Maiden finished 7 of 19 passing for 145 yards with two touchdowns and an interception.

Just more than a minute later the Moose retook the lead with a 25-yard run from Darrion Angol.

Angol’s score was set up by a 58-yard kickoff return by Ferris, who also threw a 70-yard touchdown pass to Angol with 19 seconds left in the first half.

Angol was the only Moose receiver to catch a pass on Friday. He caught four passes for 76 yards and the touchdown.

Lathrop 28, Palmer 26

Friday, Fairbanks

First Quarter:

Palmer—Layton 15 run (Lucas kick) 6:44.

Lathrop—Salcido 11 pass from Gl. Maiden (Barnett kick) 2:53.

Palmer—Angol 25 run (Lucas kick) 1:51.

Lathrop—Holtry 46 pass from Gl. Maiden (Barnett kick) :26.

Second Quarter:

Palmer—Angol 70 pass from Ferris (kick blocked) :19.

Third Quarter:

Lathrop—Phillips 24 run (Salcido kick) 5:23.

Palmer—Ferris 26 run (Two-point failed) :33.

Fourth Quarter:

Lathrop—Phillips 10 run (Salcido kick) 11:42.

INDIVIDUAL STASTICS

RUSHING—Palmer: Ferris 26-163, Roth 4-(-6), McGann 3-14, Hershman 6-26, Layton 9-82, Angol 3-19, Jared Oviak 1-6, No. 45 1-8. Lathrop: Millington 1-5, Phillips 12-131, Gl. Maiden 13-93, Gar. Maiden 1-22.

PASSING—Palmer: Roth 3-10-0--6, Ferris 1-1-0--70. Lathrop: Gl. Maiden 7-19-1--145.

RECEIVING—Palmer: Angol 4-76. Lathrop: Salcido 1-11, Holtry 3-104, Barnett 1-10, Perdue 2-20.