Moose run: Palmer gains 511 rushing yards in 40-20 win over West Anchorage

Frontiersman

PALMER - In the second half of its 40-20 win over West Anchorage at Machetanz Field Friday night, Palmer needed a big boost. And the Moose got it from one of their smallest players.

Haakan Bohman stands only about 5-foot-6 and 150 pounds. But on Friday size didn't matter as the senior running back darted sideline to sideline and from one end of the field to the other. On offense he exploded for 260 yards rushing and three touchdowns, with most of his work coming in the final two quarters. And on defense, Bohman snagged two interceptions in the second half.

&#8220If I can just sit back and watch him run, that would be nice,” Palmer quarterback Conrad Smith said.

Bohman helped Palmer take firm control of the momentum early in the third quarter, in what had been a very tight contest. After the Moose defense stopped the potent West offense on a key fourth-down play in the red zone, Bohman took the ball on Palmer's first offensive play in the second half and scampered 75 yards for the score. Bohman darted through the Moose offensive line, weaved his way through traffic and made the Eagle defense topple with his quick cuts.

Bohman said he was thinking, &#8220run for my life,” as he was heading toward the end zone.

&#8220The coach told me to cut back a lot, so I was cutting back,” Bowman said.

Smith said he kind of watched in amazement as he watched his teammate head toward the score.

&#8220He's just alert with the ball,” Smith said. &#8220He can see the whole field.”

Smith said the quickness of his offensive line also proved to be key, as the front five paved the way for the team's 511 rushing yards.

&#8220Our line was more in shape then theirs,” Smith said. &#8220They've worked hard the first two weeks.”

Bohman also ran for scores of 9 and 31 yards in the second half, but none came at a bigger time than his 75-yard touchdown. That and the defensive stop were a certain key to the game, Palmer head coach Rod Christiansen said.

&#8220Like they say, that first four minutes of the third quarter is the biggest part of the game,” Christiansen said. &#8220Especially when you're in a close one like that.”

Palmer's play early in the third quarter was especially important, considering the controversy that ended the first half. On the final play of the second quarter, Palmer senior Tanner Grover ran for a 5-yard gain and was brought to the ground by a flock of Eagle players. After the whistle blew, flags fell, and Grover was quickly ejected from the contest for allegedly take a kick at an opponent. Grover stood at the center of the field in disbelief and the Palmer coaching staff argued in disgust.

&#8220(The referee) said (Tanner) attempted to kick the guy,” Christiansen said. &#8220He didn't actually kick anybody. It's completely out of character for him.”

Grover has battled hamstring problems throughout the first two weeks of practice and cold temperatures on a rainy Palmer night only made the issues worse. Christiansen said he believes, at most, Grover was just trying to stretch his leg as he laid beneath a pile of orange jerseys.

Until the controversial call, Grover was the star on offense for the Moose, burning West for 110 yards on six carries. He also caught a 38-yard touchdown pass.

That scoring pass was fired by Smith, a junior quarterback making his first varsity start for the Moose. Smith also ran for 66 yards and two first-half touchdowns.

&#8220This gives me a lot of confidence, and that's what I needed,” Smith said. &#8220I surprised myself. In the past when I've been the back-up, I've been jittery back there. But now starting, I feel totally comfortable.”

West quarterback Sven Solberg threw for 277 yards and two touchdowns, but his three interceptions in the second half proved costly. Solberg did his most damage in the second quarter.

&#8220We got burnt too much in the first half, so we decided to stay deep and not let them burn us again,” Bohman said. &#8220And that didn't happen.”

Bohman stopped two drives with picks, and senior linebacker Ian Heindel also had a key interception.

Contact Frontiersman sports editor Jeremiah Bartz at sports@frontiersman.com.

Palmer 40, West 20

Friday, Palmer

First quarter:

Palmer - Smith 3 run (Melin kick) 2:25

West - Lauvao 84 kickoff return (Hardy kick) 2:11

Second quarter:

Palmer - Smith 4 run (Melin kick) 6:02

West - Simmons 35 pass from Solberg (Hardy kick) 2:42

Palmer - Grover 38 pass from Smith (Melin kick) 1:40

West - Procter 1 pass from Solberg (kick failed) 00:53

Third quarter

Palmer - Bohman 75 run (Melin kick) 9:12

Fourth quarter

Palmer - Bohman 9 run (kick failed) 4:30

Palmer - Bohman 31 run (kick failed) 1:35

Individual statistics

RUSHING - West: Solberg 13-51, Jon-Baptiste 5-37, Lauvao 6-23, Naea 1-4, Simmons 1-(-5); Palmer: Bohman 22-260, Grover 6-110, Smith 13-66, Sawyer 6-47, Thorne 4-21, Ratcliff 4-15, Konkler 2-(-8)

PASSING -West: Solberg 16-29-3-277, Drayden 0-1-1-0; Palmer: Smith 2-5-1-67.

RECEIVING - West: Proctor 6-83, Hardy 4-62, Lauvao 2-41, Simmons 2-52, Wooley 1-32, Naea 1-7; Palmer: Grover 1-38, Konkler 1-29.