Moose move into semifinals

WASILLA - The Palmer Moose erased a 12-point halftime deficit, and posted a 29-19 win over the Wasilla Warriors in the first round of the ASAA large-schools state playoffs at Wasilla High School's Veterans Memorial Field on Friday.

The win moves Palmer into the semifinal round, and the Moose will face either Chugiak or Service next week at Anchorage Football Stadium. Chugiak and Service meet Saturday at 2 p.m. at Chugiak High School.

The Palmer offense scored 22 second-half points, and the Moose defense held the Warriors scoreless in the final 24 minutes of play. Palmer senior running backs Devin Konkler and Shannon Sawyer scored touchdowns to allow the Moose to take the lead. And senior quarterback Conrad Smith sealed the win with a 46-yard touchdown run on third-down.

Konkler eclipsed the 200-yard rushing mark for the Moose, and scored on a 69-yard run on Palmer's first play from scrimmage.

Wasilla took the early 7-0 lead with a Shane Green touchdown catch on the Warriors' first offensive drive. Junior running backs Beebo Russel and Chris Crane also scored in the first half.

The game marked the second straight Friday night the Warriors hosted the Moose. Last week, Wasilla edged Palmer 36-35 in the 2007 Potato Bowl.

See www.frontiersman.com for continued updates, and the Sunday editition of the Frontiersman for full coverage of the game.