Moose defense silences Wolfpack

PALMER — With West Valley boasting an arsenal of weapons, including reigning large-schools utility player of the year Larenzo Graham, Palmer head coach Rod Christiansen knew his defense would have to be prepared heading into a key Railbelt Conference game Friday night.

And Palmer’s defense prevailed.

Palmer allowed only a fourth-quarter touchdown and scored a 26-7 win over the Wolfpack at Machetanz Field in Palmer.

“Our defense really stepped up,” Christiansen said after the win Friday. “We knew they were a tough team.”

Palmer held the Wolfpack to 111 yards on the ground and a 152 total yards in the win, a solid effort considering West Valley features a three-headed attack in the backfield — Graham, and running backs Dominick Anderson and JC Cummings.

West Valley lost its senior quarterback Tucker Plass, who threw for more than 1,000 yards and 14 touchdowns as a junior, on its third offensive play of the game. But even after the utility man, Graham, took over behind center, Christiansen knew West Valley could still be dangerous.

“They’re obviously a better team with Tucker, but it was a great job by their coach, going with someone else very efficient,” Christiansen said. “(Graham) did fumble the ball on the first snap, but after that he didn’t look like a second-string quarterback.”

Palmer senior Luke Heun said the Moose didn’t relax after Plass was lost for the game.

“It was bad for them because their quarterback was out. But they have athletes, and one stepped in for another,” Heun said. “(Graham) can throw a 50-yard bomb, but still run the read option.”

Graham ran the ball 15 times, finishing with 36 yards, and was 3 for 10 passing for 41 yards and an interception. Anderson led the Wolfpack with 63 yards. Christiansen said the key was containing the potentially explosive Wolfpack.

“We kept them from making big plays,” Christiansen said. “I think that was the big difference. They got their sevens and eight (yard carries), but they didn’t get the big plays.”

Heun said the focus in practice throughout the week was containing the West Valley option attack.

“It was really about the option they have. They have athletes everywhere. Coach kept saying, ‘do your job, do your job,’” Heun said. “When we were doing our jobs, we were doing it right.”

While the Palmer defense kept West Valley from making big plays, the Moose offense put together the big plays.

Senior quarterback Cameron Christiansen broke loose for a 42-yard touchdown on the third play of the game to give the Moose the early 7-0 lead. About five minutes later, James Nisbett added a 21-yard touchdown, his seventh score of the season.

Palmer took a 14-0 lead into the fourth quarter, but Anderson cut Palmer’s advantage in half with a 7-yard score.

Palmer’s key offensive drive of the game came following the Anderson score. The Moose marched deep into West Valley territory before facing a fourth-and-4 at the WVHS 22-yard line. With the Moose leading by only seven with just more than four minutes to go, Cameron Christiansen dropped back to pass and connected with senior Daniel DeLay on a 22-yard score.

DeLay made a leaping catch above the West Valley defensive back and fell into the corner of the end zone for the touchdown.

“Daniel made a great play to catch it and get his feet in,” Christiansen said.

Heun iced the game with a 5-yard touchdown late in the game.

Nisbett led the Moose with 105 yards on the ground and a score.

“James, on both sides of the ball, made some big plays,” Christiansen said.

Nisbett’s first three carries in the game were runs of 24, 23 and 21 yards.

Linebackers Benjamin Aumavae and Chris Cooney stood out on defense for the Moose, and Vincent Aumavae grabbed a key interception in the second half for the PHS defense.

Palmer improved to 4-0 overall and 2-0 in Railbelt Conference play with the victory. The win pushes Palmer into a first-place tie with North Pole atop the RC standings. West Valley dropped to 1-2 in conference.

With road games against Colony and North Pole in the next two weeks, Christiansen was happy to get the win.

“To pick up the win today was satisfying,” Christiansen said.

Palmer 26, West Valley 7

Friday, Machetanz Field

First quarter

Palmer — Christiansen 42 run (Wells kick) 10:55.

Palmer — Nisbett 21 run (Wells kick) 5:31.

Second quarter

No scoring.

Third quarter

No scoring.

Fourth quarter

West Valley — Anderson 7 run (Hinz kick) 10:16.

Palmer — DeLay 22 pass from Christiansen (kick failed) 4:28.

Palmer — Heun 5 run (kick failed) 2:06.

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

RUSHING — West Valley: Anderson 15-63, Graham 15-36, Cummings 7-11, Plass 2-(-8), Sudduth 1-9; Palmer: Nisbett 12-105, V. Aumavae 5-8, Heun 3-13, Myers 2-(-12), Christiansen 1-42, Merritt 1-8.

PASSING — West Valley: Graham 3-10-1—41; Palmer: Christiansen 4-5-1—57.

RECEIVING— West Valley: Cummings 2-16, Sudduth 1-25; Palmer: Niekamp 1-34, DeLay 1-22, Nisbett 1-(-1), Myers 1-(-2).