Moose use big second half to beat Eagle River

Heavy rain and a soggy field was an issue for everyone Friday night. Visiting Eagle River also gave Palmer a few problems, especially in the first half.

But the Moose prevailed and extended their winning streak.

Palmer scored 18 unanswered points in the final two quarters and won its fourth straight with a 31-14 victory over the Wolves at Machetanz Field.

Senior Corbin Gerkin used a pair of big plays in the second half to help the Moose improve to 4-1 overall at 3-1 in Division II play.

Midway through the third quarter, Gerkin caught a Nolan Garner pass and broke free for an 89-yard touchdown to help give the Moose the 21-14 advantage, their first lead of the game. Gerkin also helped Palmer cement the win with a 20-yard touchdown run with 4:35 left in the game. Kicker Lila Pettit also booted a 28-yard field goal in the second half.

Gerkin led the Moose with 93 yards rushing on 17 carries, and added 94 yards receiving.

Eagle River, which dropped to 2-3 overall and 1-3 in conference, held a lead for the bulk of the first half.

Michael Roschi surprised the Moose early with a 47-yard touchdown run at the 5:52 mark of the first quarter to give the Wolves the first lead. Roschi added a 1-yard score with 3:07 left in the first half to push Eagle River’s advantage to 14-7.

Ezra Zimmerman put the Moose on the scoreboard with a 4-yard touchdown run just more than two minutes after Roschi’s first touchdown. That tied the game at 7.

Garner connected with Evan Denoncour on a 4-yard touchdown pass with 27 seconds left in the first half.

Palmer’s Reed Craner used a big defensive play in the third quarter to help spark the Moose. As Eagle River led 14-13, the Wolves were driving, but Craner intercepted a pass in the end zone.

Two plays later, with the Moose facing 3rd-and-19, Gerkin put the Moose on top with his 89-yard score.

Gerkin led Palmer with his 187 yards of total offense. Garner was 10 of 17 for 161 yards and a pair of touchdown passes. Zimmerman added 74 yards on the ground.

Palmer sits in third place in the Division II standings and will host Lathrop (4-1 overall, 4-0 in conference) Sept. 19 at 7 p.m. at PHS. The Malemutes are currently tied with defending state champion Soldotna at the top of the Division II standings.

Chugiak kept Wasilla winless with a 31-21 victory over the Warriors Friday night at Wasilla High.

Wasilla junior quarterback Brayden Sparrs rushed for a pair of 1-yard touchdowns in the loss. His first of the game gave Wasilla a 7-3 lead in the second quarter. His second touchdown came in the second half. Conner Zundel also had a 5-yard touchdown in the second half.

Zundel led Wasilla with 46 yards rushing. Sparrs added 42.

Wasilla dropped to 0-5 overall and 0-4 in conference.

Contact the Frontiersman at sports@frontierman.com.