Moose knock down T-Birds

ANCHORAGE — It took East Anchorage junior quarterback Clayton Washburn about a play to figure out he was going to have his hands full. Then Washburn and his East teammates spent a chunk of the next 48 minutes trying to run free from a rabid Palmer Moose defense.

The Moose allowed only two East first downs in the first half, two in the first three quarters, and limited the Thunderbirds to only 120 total yards during Palmer’s 32-0 nonconference win over the T-Birds at Anchorage Football Stadium Thursday.

“Having the defensive guys make those plays for us is what’s going to keep us going,” Palmer quarterback Zeth Merritt said.

Defensive backs Nathan Aumavae and Darion Angol picked off East passes. Defensive lineman Brian Thompson and linebackers Caleb Deemer and Ben Aumavae were among a group that haunted the T-Birds offense during their 42 offensive plays.

“We had a pretty good defensive game plan,” longtime Palmer head coach Rod Christiansen said after the win. “Our guys did what they asked them to do.”

Palmer forced East 3-and-out in each of East’s three offensive possessions in the first quarter, and the T-Birds didn’t notch their initial first down until midway through the second quarter.

Before picking up a 21-yard gain on an Antonio Brown run during the final seconds of the first half, East only had 26 total rushing yards.

The bulk of East’s yards in the game came on a 13-play, 82-yard drive late in the game as Palmer held a 32-point lead.

Palmer also showed some size on the defensive line, anchoring its three-man front with senior Gunner Deemer (330 pounds) and senior Evan Colbert (6-6, 275).

“We’re trying to build some depth. We wanted to get some guys out there and get them experience,” Christiansen said. “The guys up front on defense definitely did a good job.”

Palmer also showed some depth on the offensive side. Senior James Nisbett was held to just one carry for 29 yards after leaving the game in the first half due to injury.

“We were being pretty cautious,” Christiansen said. “We need to check him out.”

But even without Nisbett, who led the state with 1,555 yards rushing last year, Palmer still rushed for 223 yards.

Nathaniel Pempeck led all rushers with 60 yards on six carries. Nathan Aumavae, a sophomore, also emerged with 45 yards on the ground.

Senior Vincent Aumavae added a 23-yard touchdown in the first half.

“We got some guys who really stepped up today,” Merritt said. “Nathan Aumavae, only a sophomore, stepped up in a big way.”

Merritt also stepped up for the Moose. The senior quarterback, making his third career varsity start behind center, finished a perfect 4 for 4 for 133 yards passing. Half his completions went for touchdowns.

“It’s confidence-building to do that,” Christiansen said of the passing game.

Senior Cody Wells caught three passes, including a 66-yard touchdown catch. On the long score, Wells beat the defense, made an adjustment to reach up and snag the pass, and broke away from the remainder of the defenders for the touchdown.

“He’s got size. He can beat you for the ball and run a little bit afterward,” Christiansen said of Wells.

Angol took advantage of a double-team on Wells and caught a 15-yard touchdown pass in the first half.

Palmer 32, East Anchorage 0

Thursday, Anchorage Football Stadium

First quarter:

Palmer — Merritt 5 run (run failed) 7:11.

Palmer — V. Aumavae 23 run (run failed) 1:49.

Second quarter:

Palmer — Angol 15 pass from Merritt (Pempeck kick) 8:40.

Third quarter:

Palmer — Wells 66 pass from Merritt (Pempeck kick) 8:16.

Fourth quarter:

Palmer — Pempeck 9 run (kick failed) 11:36.

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS:

RUSHING — Palmer: N. Aumavae 12-45, Merritt 12-18, Pempeck 6-60, Schneider 4-36, V. Aumavae 3-40, Nisbett 1-29, Cochran 1-(-2); East: Hawk 12-46, Lealao 3-28, Schnellbaecher 3-26, Brown 2-15, Johnson 1-(1), Washburn 8-(12).

PASSING — Palmer: Merritt 4-4-0—133; East: Washburn 4-13-2—16.

RECEIVING — Palmer: Wells 3-118, Angol 1-15; East: Johnson 2-12, Seui 1-8, Lealao 1-(-4).