Moose win again, clinch home game in first round of playoffs

The Chugiak Mustangs walked onto Machetanz Field with only one victory in 2025. But Palmer head coach Tim Popowski knew the five-win Moose could not overlook their Southcentral Alaska rivals.

The Mustangs didn’t make it easy, but the Moose extended their winning streak to six with a 35-21 win over Chugiak Friday at Palmer High School.

“We knew after watching the film that it was going to be tough,” Popowski said after the win. “We knew they were not going to roll over. They’ve had some close games.”

For the second straight week, Palmer used a touchdown during the final moments of the first half to grab the momentum. The Moose did it last week against Lathrop. Friday, Palmer senior quarterback hit receiver Evan Denoncour in the corner of the end zone for a 4-yard touchdown pass with 1 minute, 4 seconds left in the second quarter.

Without that score, it’s a 14-14 game with Chugiak getting the ball to start the second half.

“They’ve played a lot of teams tough in the first half,” Popowksi said.

Palmer also overcame adversity, especially in the second half. Palmer had its lone turnover in the third quarter, but the Moose defense made the top and it didn’t lead to points. Palmer also had its second touchdown of the game called back because of the penalty in the fourth quarter, but the Moose bounced back once again.

“That’s what this group has done. They’ve done a really good job at that this year,” Popowski said. “When we face that adversity, we’re responding.”

Late in the second half, right after Palmer had its second touchdown of the day taken off the scoreboard, senior running back Corbin Gerkin cut through the defense for a 16-yard touchdown.

“That was a great read by Nolan,” Popowski said. “We had a couple of different plays called on that. He gave Corbin the ball, the (offensive) line did a great job, and (Corbin) finished it.”

Gerkin had another huge game for the Moose with 218 yards rushing on 23 carries, and two touchdowns. The senior also had a 2-yard score in the first half.

Garner completed 5 of 7 passes for 84 yards and two touchdown passes. He also found Devon Blayney for a 3-yard touchdown pass.

Garner gave Palmer a quick lead, running for a 37-yard touchdown run on the fifth play of the game.

Palmer improved to 6-1 overall and 5-1 in Division II play. The Moose also clinched home field advantage in the first round of the ASAA DII postseason. Regardless of what happens in Week 8, the Moose will finish second in the division. The Moose are at Wasilla to face the Warriors in the annual Potato Bowl Friday at 7 p.m. North Pole is at Soldotna on 2 p.m. Saturday, and West Valley and Lathrop meet Saturday at 5 p.m. in Fairbanks.

Defending state champion Soldotna (7-0, 6-0) will finish first, and also host a first-round game.

Lathrop (4-2), North Pole (3-3), West Valley (3-3) and Eagle River (2-4) are still alive in the race for the final two spots in the DII four-team playoff.

Eagle River improved to 3-4 overall and 2-4 in the division with a 30-12 win over Wasilla on Saturday.

Warriors quarterback Johnny Devine threw for a pair of touchdown passes in his first career start. Devine connected with Adam Corneliussen in the first half to cut Eagle River’s lead to 14-6. Brandon Wadleigh took a shovel pass 39 yards for a score in the second half.

Wasilla dropped to 0-7 overall and 0-6 in the division.

Redington improved its playoff chances with a 47-6 win at Kodiak Friday. The Huskies are now 4-3 overall and 2-2 in Division III play,

Houston (2-5, 1-3) suffered a 36-24 loss to Barrow Friday in Houston.

Barrow (5-2, 4-0) and Homer (6-1, 3-1) have clinched home field advantage in the Division III semifinals. Kenai (3-4, 2-2), Redington and Houston are all still alive for the final two playoff spots.

Redington hosts Houston Saturday at 5 p.m. Barrow is at Kenai at 2 p.m.

In Division I action, Juneau-Douglas beat Colony 34-20 in Juneau. The Knights (2-5, 1-5) host Bartlett (4-2) Friday at 7 p.m.

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