Moose hunting for return to playoffs

PALMER — The Palmer Moose found themselves in an unusual situation and in foreign territory last season.

Despite dropping from the large schools Railbelt Conference to the medium schools Northern Lights Conference as part of the Alaska Schools Activities Association’s reclassification of prep football prior to the 2015 season, the Moose fell short of the playoffs for the first time since 1999.

Palmer’s state-record streak of 15 straight trips to the postseason was snapped. Strangely, this happened following Palmer’s move to the most top-heavy conference in Alaska football.

The Moose, which competed in the NLC until ASAA added a second class prior to the 2000 season, found themselves back in a conference with old school rivals Soldotna and Kenai, who have now combined to win 14 straight state titles.

With only two playoff berths in the NLC, that’s some tough competition. Palmer finished 2-2 in NLC play last year, but fell to both the Stars and the Kards.

This year, the Moose will once again be on the hunt to knock off one of, or both, of the longtime NLC powers. But before Palmer can think about that, the Moose must get through a difficult nonconference stretch to start the season.

“We’re focusing on ourselves, trying to get better with these nonconference games,” longtime Palmer head coach Rod Christiansen said recently.

The Moose open their season Friday at Machetanz Field against East Anchorage, which advanced to the large-schools semifinals last year. The Moose follow with a road game against Bartlett, another playoff team last year, in Week 2, before hosting Railbelt Conference champion and Valley rival Colony in Week 3.

“We’ll be playing against really good athletes,” Christiansen said. “We’ve got some pretty challenging games right off the bat.”

The Moose hope to use its experience on the offensive side of the ball to move the chains against the tough competition. Palmer did lose all-state running back Chase Ferris, who rushed for more than 1,100 yards last season. But Palmer does have a group of talent that factored into Palmer’s success last year.

The Moose return both athletes who saw time at quarterback last year, junior Clayton Southwick and senior Trey Witz.

“It’s really nice to have a couple of guys who have been under center,” Christiansen said.

Southwick’s season included a career-high 172 yards passing during the loss to Kenai.

The Moose backfield will include running back Jeff Glynn and fullback Austin Farris, who scored three touchdowns each last year. Glynn rushed for nearly 400 yards, and top the 100-yard mark in a game twice.

“We kind of like to mix it up a bit,” Christiansen said. “We have quarterbacks who can throw, receivers who can catch. Guys who can take it in both directions.”

If not a quarterback, Witz can be used as a receiver. The Moose also have senior tight end Aaron Christiansen, another starter. Guard Travis Wheeler and tackle Dylan Silva are also returning starters.

Larry Cutsforth and Nick DeBach, a varsity basketball player at PHS, are also options in the backfield.

Palmer’s skill positions could also include Nick Johnson, Nick Reeves, Matt Daniels and Skyler Hale, Christiansen said.

On defense, Christiansen said, “We’re not real big, but we can move.”

With experience at both nose guard and linebacker, Farris will be a leader on a defense that also includes Witz and Cutsforth in the defensive backfield. Christiansen also noted linebacker Devon Betker, in his first year with Palmer football, after moving to Alaska from the Lower 48.

The Moose also return Lucas Santana, a starter on the defensive line.

Following the nonconference stretch, the Moose open NLC play with consecutive road games at Kodiak and Soldotna. The Moose host Eagle River at home in Week 6 and have another home NLC game against Kenai in Week 7 before going to Wasilla for the Potato Bowl in Week 8.

PALMER MOOSE

Head coach: Rod Christiansen

Conference: Northern Lights (medium schools)

2015 finish: 5-3, missed playoffs

Key returners: Austin Farris, Sr., FB/LB; Trey Witz, Sr., WR/DB; Travis Wheeler, Sr., OL/DL; Aaron Christiansen, Sr., TE/LB; Clayton Southwick, Jr., QB.

Key losses: Chase Ferris, RB/DB; Nick Daniels, OLB/WR; Ryker Carrington, OL; AJ Kollander, OL; Wayne Hershman, FB/LB.

2016 Schedule

Friday, Aug. 12 East Anchorage at Palmer, 7 p.m.

Friday, Aug. 19 Palmer at Bartlett, 7 p.m.

Friday, Aug. 26 Colony at Palmer, 7 p.m.

Friday, Sept. 2 Palmer at Kodiak, 7 p.m.

Friday, Sept. 9 Palmer at Soldotna, 7 p.m.

Friday, Sept. 16 Eagle River at Palmer, 7 p.m.

Friday, Sept. 23 Kenai at Palmer, 7 p.m.

Friday, Sept. 30 Palmer at Wasilla, 7 p.m.