Moose run over Malemutes

PALMER -- It was a classic battle of two powers from two different schools of thought -- the Lathrop Malemutes led by the strong right arm of Brock Graziadi and the host Palmer Moose, who boast a traditionally strong running attack.

Standout performances from both the Moose offensive and defensive lines helped Palmer notch a 19-13 victory over Lathrop in Northern Railbelt Conference action at Machetanz Field Friday night.

The massive Moose offensive line paved the way for a 354-yard rushing effort from the Palmer running backs and the Palmer defensive line, led by a four-sack performance from senior defensive end Sam Zimmer, consistently harassed Graziaidi.

Graziadi, who lit up the North Pole defense for 350 yards passing and four touchdowns in a 42-41 overtime win last week, was just 8-for -21 passing with 103 yards against the stingy Moose defense.

Zimmer led a defensive charge that kept Graziadi scrambling throughout the game.

Two of Zimmer's sacks came on third down and ended Lathrop drives, and two others came on first down, which essentially ended Lathrop drives before they even started.

Graziadi and the Malemutes lost 35 yards on the four Zimmer sacks.

"He's the guy getting the pressure on," Palmer head coach Rod Christiansen said of Zimmer.

Christiansen calls Zimmer a pleasant surprise. The senior defensive end returned to the Moose football squad after missing the last two seasons.

After playing as a freshman, Zimmer opted to run cross-country and swim during the fall of his sophomore and junior years.

Zimmer's play allowed the Moose to have success with their defensive philosophy.

"We wanted pressure first," Palmer quarterback and defensive back Charlie Bentti said. "Get (Graziadi) scrambling and make him make plays."

Christiansen said that the Palmer defense used a "bend, don't break" philosophy and prepared for the several alignments that the Lathrop offense shows.

"We were well prepared," Bentti said.

Palmer's offensive philosophy was to keep the ball out of the hands of Graziadi and in the possession of the Moose running backs.

Palmer ran the ball 51 times for 554 yards. It was the fourth time this season Palmer has eclipsed the 300-yard rushing mark. Palmer has 1,562 yards rushing in five games this season.

Allen Franklin led the Moose with 163 yards on 18 carries. Franklin scored on runs of 22 and 48 yards in the second half.

"Lathrop was taking some gambles," Christiansen said. "Some runs could have gone for two (yards) or 50."

Palmer took advantage of one Lathrop defensive gamble in particular. Just more than a minute into the second half, Lathrop stacked its linebackers heavy on the outside to prevent the option and left a glaring hole on the middle. Franklin burst behind the blocking of Palmer center Tory Johnson and guards Nick Pilch and Junior Aumavae and ran 48 yards, nearly untouched, for the touchdown.

Mike Weber also topped the 100-yard mark on 18 carries. The senior running back ran for 110 yards and scored on a 12-yard run.

Bentti added 84 yards on 16 carries.

Random ramblings … Franklin and Weber each ran for 100 yards in the same game for the fourth time this season. Juneau is the only team to have kept the duo under 100 yards each and Palmer under 300 yards … Graziadi threw a pair of touchdown passes to increase his touchdown-interception ratio to 13-2 … Lathrop wide receiver Nick Varner caught a juggling 15-yard touchdown reception in the first quarter, his fifth of the year … The win sets up a Valley showdown next Friday between the 2-0 Moose against the 2-0 Colony Knights. The teams will face off

Friday at 7 p.m. at

Machetanz Field.