Moose silence Dogs in Interior

FAIRBANKS — The Lathrop Malemutes raised their losing streak to 17 games after falling to the Moose of Palmer 46-0 Friday night in a Railbelt Conference football game at Lathrop High School.

“We’re young,” Lathrop head coach Jason Gazewood said after the game. “We’re prone to doing the thing that may not be the smartest.”

The mental errors were what plagued the Malemutes. Quarterback Jonah Silva, who went out in last week’s game with a knee injury, threw four interceptions, two of which were returned for 68 and 43-yard touchdowns.

“Physically, I think we competed with them,” Gazewood said. “It was just mental stuff tonight.”

At the end of the first half, the Malemutes headed to the lockerroom trailing the Moose 39-0. Palmer had 231 yards of total offense (103 rushing, 128 passing) to Lathrop’s 119 (51 rushing, 68 passing). In the second half, the Malemutes had 94 total yards of offense (42 rushing, 52 passing), which was more than the Moose finished with (82 total with 66 rushing and 16 passing).

Lathrop finished the game with 213 total yards of offense on the night. Palmer topped that by an even 100, finishing with 313 total yards.

Silva went 9 for 23, charting 120 yards in the air. Three of his four interceptions were picked off by Moose defensive back Jim McCall, including one which he ran back for a touchdown. McCall finished with 143 return yards.

Palmer quarterback Jackson Buresh had a 5-for-10 night with 144 total passing yards.

“It was a surprise to see them throw the ball as much as they did,” Gazewood said about the Moose offense.

Silva also had 13 rushes for 111 yards. The team’s next leading rusher was running back Kaelan Lee who had seven carries for 16 yards.

Palmer struck early as Buresh connected with McCall on a 41-yard score just 1:11 into the game. The catch was one of three for McCall, who now leads the Moose with six grabs in two games.

The Moose, who suffered a 31-21 loss to Chugiak last week, extended their lead to a pair of scores when fullback David Sorenson posted a four-year touchdown about two minutes later.

McCall scored again early in the second, returning a Silva interception 68 yards for the touchdown. Palmer ended the have by scoring twice during the final five minutes. Douglas Chadwick scored his second touchdown of the year, a 16-yarder, and David Clement returned another Silva interception 43 yards.

Clement also scored on a 23 yard run, his lone carry of the game, in the third quarter.

Palmer played the entire fourth with a running clock, thanks to the mercy rule.

The win marks Palmer’s first of the season. Now the Moose set their sights on defending Railbelt Champion Juneau-Douglas. Palmer hosts the Crimson Bears Friday at 7 p.m. at Machetanz Field.

Palmer 46, Lathrop 0

Friday, Lathrop High School

Palmer 14-25-7-0—46

Lathrop 0-0-0-0—0

First quarter

Palmer — McCall 41 pass from Buresh (Wisner kick), 10:49.

Palmer— Sorensen 4 run (Wisner kick), 8:35.

Second quarter

Palmer — McCall 68 interception return (kick no good), 10:03.

Palmer — Chadwick 16 run (Wisner kick), 4:30.

Palmer — Clement 43 interception return (Wisner kick), 2:39.

Third quarter

Palmer — Clement 23 run (Wisner kick), 1:34.

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

RUSHING—Palmer: Chadwick 9-60, McCall 4-14, Buresh 1-11, Sorensen 10-58, Corbin 1-1, Arhens 8-13, Clement 1-23, King 2-3; Lathrop: Lee 7-16, Silva 13-111, McCoy 3-4, Desmond 1-0.

PASSING—Palmer: Buresh 5-10-0-144; Lathrop: Silva 9-23-4-120.

RECEIVING—Palmer: McCall 3-83, Merritt 1-36, Corbin 1-25; Lathrop: McCoy 4-29, Sutton 1-3, Barnett 2-28, Gober 1-22, Seminario 1-38.