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Palmer’s route to a potential trip to the playoffs is now officially an uphill battle.
West Valley used 24 unanswered points to score a 32-14 Railbelt Conference win over the Moose Friday night at Machetanz Field in Palmer.
Palmer dropped to 2-4 overall and 1-3 in Division II Railbelt play. It was Palmer’s third straight loss following back-to-back wins over Lathrop and Colony. Eagle River and Soldotna had knocked off the Moose during the previous two weeks.
Wasilla’s playoff hopes also took a significant blow Friday with a 63-21 loss to defending state champion Soldotna in Wasilla.
West Valley rushed for 358 yards on 42 carriers en route to improving to 5-1 overall and 3-1 on conference play. The Wolfpack had only two pass attempts in the win.
Halen Neild led West Valley with 143 yards on 17 carries. Landon Wiedmaier added 139 yards on only nine attempts. Neild rushed for a 35-yard touchdown. Wiedmaier broke free for a 65-yard score. He also had a 50-yard gain.
Palmer owned a lead twice during the first half, but was held scoreless for the final 34 minutes of the game. Corbin Gerkin took a toss on the right side nine yards for the score to give the Moose a 7-0 lead with 2:36 left in the first quarter.
With 10:09 left in the second quarter, KJ Henry ran for a 52-yard touchdown for the Moose.
Andon Wolverton scored four of Soldotna’s seven rushing touchdowns during the win over Wasilla. Quarterback Owen Buckbee also threw for a pair of touchdowns.
Soldotna and North Pole are now the top two Division II teams in the state with 4-0 records. West Valley (3-1) and Eagle River (2-2) are second and third.
Palmer, Lathrop and Chugiak are all 1-3 in the conference, and Wasilla sits at 0-4.
The top four teams advance to the two-round Division II postseason.
Palmer is on the road against North Pole and Chugiak in the next two weeks, and Wasilla is at Lathrop before hosting Eagle River.
The Moose will host the Warriors Oct. 11 in the Potato Bowl.
Contact Frontiersman managing editor Jeremiah Bartz at editor@frontiersman.com.
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