Mustangs ride it out

CHUGIAK — The Wasilla Warriors marched down the field with reckless abandon, trailing by a field goal late in the fourth quarter behind sophomore quarterback Byson Malave when another sophomore capped a masterful game performance. Logan Mathieu pulled down his second interception, not only of the game, but of the fourth quarter, with 30 seconds left to seal 17-14 win for Chugiak.

Malave went 4 of 7 for 96 yards passing and two picks. Each of Wasilla’s running touchdowns were set up by Malave passes. With the clock winding down in the second quarter and the Warriors trailing by two touchdowns, Malave threw a fourth-down prayer that fell in the hands of Ethan Krauss at the 2-yard line. The 34-yard grab was made even more impressive by Krauss’ ability to shield the defender from the ball and still haul it in. Jordan Quenga punched it in a play later. Midway through the third, Malave again connected with Krauss, this time for 17 yards. Colton Lindquist found the end zone after that.

Chugiak didn’t require much of passing attack of its own. The Mustangs backfield features a stable of horses for head coach Ryan Landers. The first to reach paydirt was Tyler Huffer, who took the ball off the right edge and into the end zone from 14 yards out, even after the Mustangs had been charged with a penalty, backing them up. The most impressive running performance of the night was undoubtedly turned in by Jeremiah Wilson. The track star sprinted to a 73-yard score straight through the middle of the defense early in the second.

“For them to be able to pull off a win like that tonight with their backs against the wall...For them to step up, it was awesome. I think we finally started growing today,” Landers said.

Late in the game, with the score tied, Chugiak quarterback Jacob Oshesky surveyed the line for holes in the defense. The running attack had been effective, but the stable of horses were tired. He turned to Wilson, spread out as the slot receiver, who calmly said ‘check.’ Oshesky audibled and found Wilson streaking up the seam for a 15 yard completion. This would set up the first of the fourth quarter field goal attempts for Thomas Sitz. This one did not make it through the uprights, tipped at the line by Wasilla’s push up front from 21 yards out.

With a group of running backs who had carried the brunt of the offense, Chugiak turned to Kody Carlson. Carlson burst through the defense for 26 yards, helping to set up the Sitz field goal that would seal it with 5:38 left in the game.

Quenga had a monster game for the Warriors. The only returning member of the backfield, Quenga rushed for 67 yards on 20 carries. Quenga took the kickoff to start the second half and rumbled, stumbled, and bumbled all the way to the Chugiak 36 yard line, giving the Warriors great field position for Lindquist to tie the game a few plays later.

“He’s a special returner. He’s shifty and he’s a solid, kid great leader in the locker room, just tremendous kid,” Wasilla head coach Will Stout said.

Huffer ran for 51 yards on 12 carries and scored. Wilson carried the ball 14 times and ran for 152 yards and one score for the Mustangs. Chugiak started Mel Hickock and Jeremy Watson on the offensive line after they were informed of their assignments only hours prior to the game. They received high praise from Landers.

“Were just trying to get our line going. I had literally two guys who have never played offensive line until today because we’re so thin. Today Jeremy Watson, he was my tight end moving down to tackle, and then Mel Hickock who is actually a linebacker-running back and he played guard. That touchdown was actually scored to the left side.

It was amazing. We’ve got guys stepping up all over the place,” Landers said.

Chugiak plays Bartlett next Friday night at Chugiak and moved to 1-3 with the win. Wasilla plays Juneau on Saturday at Wasilla and is also 1-3.

Chugiak 17, Wasilla 14

Friday, Chugiak

First quarter:

Chugiak — Huffer 14 run (Sitz kick) 9:31

Second quarter:

Chugiak — Wilson 73 run (Sitz kick) 7:53

Wasilla — Quenga 2 run (Vroman kick) 0:22

Third quarter:

Wasilla — Lindquist 4 run (Vroman kick) 7:21

Fourth quarter:

Chugiak — Sitz 21 field goal, 5:38.

Individual statistics:

Rushing — Wasilla: Quenga 20-67, Matthews 12-42, Lindquist 7-15, Drummond 5-13, Malave 1-(-12); Chugiak: Wilson 14-152, Huger 12-51, Oshesky 6-29, Carlson 2-27, Mathieu 1-5.

Passing — Wasilla: Malave 4-7-2—97; Chugiak: Oshesky 3-4-0—34.

Receiving — Wasilla: Krauss 2-51, Quenga 1-26, Drummond 1-20; Chugiak: Matheiu 3-43.