Moose run past Warriors in Potato Bowl; Mayor's Cup returns to Palmer

PALMER - The Palmer Moose scored on their second play from scrimmage and cruised to a 42-14 win over the Wasilla Warriors at Machetanz Field on Friday night.

Fullback John Scoresby quickly gave the Moose the 7-0 lead with a 56-yard touchdown run on the game's second play. Mitch Swetzof scored a 3-yard touchdown on Palmer's second offensive drive of the game, and Swetzof added a 12-yard touchdown catch in the first half of the Potato Bowl win.

The Mayor's Cup, the prize given to the winner of the annual Potato Bowl, returns to Palmer after a one-year stay in Wasilla. The Warriors scored a 36-35 win in the Potato Bowl last year, their first victory in the series since 2001.

Fullback Coleman Ahrens scored twice for Palmer in the win, and tailback Johnny Daly added 41-yard touchdown in the win.

Seniors Chris Crane and Casey Katchinska scored for Wasilla.

Palmer improved to 4-2 in Railbelt Conference play with the win, and are still in the hunt for the second seed and the chance to host a first-round playoff game. But to get home field advantage during the first week, the Moose do still need some help. Colony (4-1) is currently in the driver's seat and can clinch the No. 2 seed with a win over Juneau-Douglas on Saturday. But if Juneau-Douglas does beat Colony Saturday at Colony High School, there will be a three-way tie with each team owning a 4-2 conference mark. If that is the case, the team that has allowed the least amount of points in conference games will get the second seed.

Palmer has now allowed 81 points in conference play. Colony has allowed 69 through five conference games, while Juneau has given up 73 in five conference contests.

For complete coverage of the game, see the Sunday edition of the Frontiersman.