Moose cruise past Kodiak Bears

PALMER — The Palmer Moose finally had the chance to trot onto the field and host a game on their new artificial turf Saturday afternoon, and maybe nobody enjoyed it more than James Nisbett.

The junior broke away for a pair of long touchdowns en route to a 226-yard day as he led the Palmer Moose to a 49-7 nonconference win over the Kodiak Bears Saturday at Machetanz Field in Palmer.

“No question, everybody looks faster,” Palmer head coach Rod Christiansen said of his players having the chance to run on the team’s new state-of-the-art field. “Guys like (Nisbett), who can cut, it’s pretty easy for them.”

Nisbett scored three times in the win to help Palmer improve to 3-0 overall. He scored an early 15-yard touchdown and broke free for an 86-yard score on the final play of the first half.

“You can’t quit playing (against him). He can make a play happen at any time,” Christiansen said.

With time set to expire in the second quarter and the Moose facing first-and-10 on their own 14, Nisbett took a simple toss on the left side. As the horn sounded, Nisbett kept shaking off tacklers until he found nothing but green at midfield. He crossed the 50-yard line and ran the distance down the sideline for the score.

Nisbett also added a 68-yard score in the second quarter, and needed only 11 carries to hit 226 yards.

Before Nisbett’s 86-yard score, the Moose held just a 21-7 lead. Kodiak had threatened during the final stretch of the second quarter, but turned the ball over on downs at the Palmer 14.

Kodiak did hold a lead in the game. Palmer’s Cameron Christiansen hooked up with Dylan Myers on a 43-yard touchdown early in the game to give the Moose the 6-0 lead, but Kodiak quickly answered.

Later in the first, Palmer fumbled the ball on its own 18-yard line and the Bears needed only two plays to score. Kodiak quarterback Josh Yavrosky connected with Freddie Sorto on an 18-yard touchdown pass, and Kodiak took the 7-6 lead.

“We challenged ourselves with some turnovers early,” Rod Christiansen said. “They’re a good enough team, when you give them a shot with the short field enough times, they’re going to pound it and put it in.”

Palmer was able to score 42 unanswered to claim the victory.

Led by Nisbett, Palmer amassed nearly 350 yards rushing in the win. But the Moose were also efficient with the passing attack. Cameron Christiansen finished the game 3 for 3 for 88 yards and two touchdowns. Myers caught both Christiansen touchdown passes.

Myers sprinted down the right sideline wide open on Palmer’s first possession and hauled in a 43-yard touchdown pass to give the Moose the early lead. Myers added a 10-yard touchdown catch during the final seconds of the third quarter.

Luke Heun also scored for the Moose in the win, notching a 7-yard touchdown run. Cameron Christiansen added a 1-yard plunge in the second quarter.

Melvin Javier, who scored three times against Houston last week, led the Bears with 60 yards on 10 carries. Jemuel Medina added 25 yards.

Christiansen said the Moose knew the Bears had the ability to run the ball.

“That’s they’re game, pound, pound and pound,” Christiansen said. “They did throw a little more than we’ve seen in the past.”

Christiansen credited his defensive line and linebackers with their ability to contain the Kodiak offense. Sophomore Nick Benshelter led the charge up front, while linebackers Chris Cooney and Ben Aumavae made numerous tackles.

Contact Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman sports editor Jeremiah Bartz at sports@frontiersman.com, follow him @matsu_sports and find him by searching Valley Sports Huddle on Facebook.

Palmer 49, Kodiak 7

Saturday, Palmer High

First quarter

Palmer — Myers 43 pass from Christiansen (kick failed) 9:13.

Kodiak — Sorto 18 pass from Yavorsky (Gregory kick) 6:25.

Palmer — Nisbett 15 run (DeLay pass from Christiansen) 3:35.

Second quarter

Palmer — Christiansen 1 run (Wells kick) 2:42.

Palmer — Nisbett 86 run (Wells kick) 0:00.

Third quarter

Palmer — Nisbett 68 run (Wells kick) 7:23.

Palmer — Heun 7 run (Wells kick) 3:12.

Palmer — Myers 10 pass from Christiansen (Wells kick) 0:33.

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

RUSHING — Kodiak: Yavorsky 11-14, Javier 10-60, Medina 10-25, Powers 8-(-5), Lenon 1-5; Palmer: Nisbett 11-226, Heun 8-41, V. Aumavae 6-54, Christiansen 3-23, Merritt 2-8, Swineheart 1-6, Tatom 1-(-8).

PASSING — Kodiak: Yavorksy 3-8-1—45; Palmer: Christiansen 3-3-0—88, Tatom 0-1-0—0.

RECEIVING — Kodiak: Javier 2-27, Sorto 1-18; Palmer: Myers 2-53, DeLay 1-35.