Moose let loose, blank T-Birds

ANCHORAGE—Palmer Senior quarterback Jackson Buresh rifled a pass into the deep night air. When it landed in the hands of senior receiver Jared Straight, who took the pass 35 yards to the end zone, it carried with it more than six points. The Palmer Moose silenced doubters of their passing game Saturday night in Anchorage against the East High Thunderbirds, winning 14-0.

Palmer begins its 2011 campaign ranked No. 4 in the preseason Alaska Sports Broadcasting Network poll. The Moose return a beefy offensive line, including all-state tackle Ben Self, senior running back Ian Ahrens and Buresh, who also earned all-state honors in 2010. The only aspect of head coach Rod Christiansen’s football squad that is unproven — until Saturday — was the receiving corps.

“They’re very green, but we’ve certainly got guys who can do it, they just need to run their routes and they’ll get it done,” Christiansen said.

Buresh found five different Moose receivers at Anchorage Football Stadium, completing 6 of 15 passes for 78 yards.

Ahrens racked up 62 yards on the ground in the win. Buresh ran for 45, including a score in the second quarter. After three straight incompletions, Buresh dropped back to pass, but was chased by a pack of East linemen. Buresh rolled out to the flat and eventually took the ball 21 yards into the end zone to increase the Moose lead to 14 at halftime.

The Palmer defense did not allow any points, including a pair of goal line stands that impressed Christiansen. East had two plays from the 1 yard line, where the Thunderbirds eventually fumbled. On the second red zone attempt, senior Jared Straight intercepted a pass in the end zone and returned it 31 yards to start another Palmer drive.

The Moose lost Ben Self to injury in the first quarter. He would not return to the game. With Self removed from the offensive front, the Moose struggled to give Buresh enough time to find receivers.

“We need to improve up front. The receivers did a good job, but Jackson didn’t have any time to throw to them,” Christiansen said.

The Moose open up with a tough schedule early in the season. Next week, Palmer faces defending small-school state champion Soldotna. The Moose travel to Juneau to play perennial football powerhouse Juneau-Douglas the following week.

“You never know what to expect on the first week,” Christiansen said.

Palmer 14, East Anchorage 0

Saturday, Anchorage Football Stadium

First Quarter

Palmer — Straight 36 pass from Buresh (Buresh run), 2:33.

Second Quarter

Palmer — Buresh 21 run (kick failed), :31.

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

RUSHING — Palmer: Ahrens 16-62, Buresh 13-45, Heun 8-25, Chadwick 1-4. East: DeLoria 6-30, Rowles 7-25, Turner 6-16, Gardner 2-14, Su’a-Te’o 5-8, Irby 2-5, Bell 3-(-8), Team 1-(-7).

PASSING — Palmer: Buresh 6-15-0—78. East: Turner 6-20-1—32.

RECEIVING — Palmer: Ahrens 2-2, Straight 1-36, Chadwick 1-19, Heun 1-17, Lee 1-4 . East: Su’a-Te’o 4-19, Laws 1-10, Bachman 1-7.