Mustangs use big 4th quarter to get past Warriors

WASILLA — The Chugiak Mustangs are officially in the driver’s seat in the Chugach Conference.

Chugiak used 28 unanswered points to score a 35-13 win over the Wasilla Warriors Saturday night at Veterans Memorial Field in Wasilla. With the victory, Chugiak improves to 5-0 overall, and more importantly, 3-0 in conference play. The Mustangs have locked up home field advantage in the first round of the playoffs, and can clinch the Chugach title with a win over Juneau next week.

While it was a big win on paper for Chugiak, Wasilla head coach Ken Ottinger said the final score does not reflect how competitive of a game it was.

“We could have won that ballgame easily,” Ottinger said.

Chugiak did the bulk of its damage late, scoring three times during the final seven minutes of play. Chugiak’s final touchdown came with only seven seconds left in the fourth.

“We competed with one of the best. I tip my cap to them. They’re a great ball club,” Ottinger said. “We competed with one of the best teams in the state. It’s been a long time since Wasilla has been able to do that.”

A pair of big defensive plays were key to Chugiak’s huge fourth quarter. With Chugiak clinging to a 14-13 lead midway through the fourth, Mustangs defensive back Sebastian Diaz picked off a Wasilla pass. Later in the quarter, Chugiak’s Collin Caldwell recovered a fumble. The Mustangs were able to cash in on both opportunities. Jacob Oshesky scored a 1-yard touchdown following the interception and Tyler Huffer added a 5-yard score after the fumble recovery.

Ottinger said those plays helped decide the win. He also noted the 42-yard Grant Jones reception that out the Mustangs on the 1-yard line and set up the Oshesky score.

Wasilla quarterback Colton Lindquist used a pair of touchdown runs to give the Warriors the lead twice. Lindquist, who finished with a game-high 196 yards on 27 carries, pushed Wasilla ahead early with a 5-yard touchdown run. Lindquist added a 4-yard score to give Wasilla the 13-7 lead early in the third quarter.

Huffer rushed for 144 yards and two scores to lead the Mustangs. Quinton Wilson finished with 63 yards and a score on the ground. Fullback Austin Harr added 34 yards on the score. The Warriors held Wilson to 77 yards passing.

Ottinger praised the work of his defense that allowed 63 points during a rough loss in Juneau last week.

“Definitely a different defense than it was in Juneau. The boys listened and applied,” Ottinger said.

Wasilla dropped to 3-2 overall and 0-2 in conference play, but remains very much alive in the race for a playoff spot. The Warriors host rival Colony Friday and are at Bartlett the following week.

“I can’t wait for that Colony game. Colony games are always fun. We’ll be ready,” Ottinger said.

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

Chugiak 35, Wasilla 13

Saturday, Wasilla High

First quarter

Wasilla — Lindquist 5 run (Sheveland kick) 3:17

Second quarter

Chugiak — Harr 5 run (Rohlston kick) 10:50

Third quarter

Wasilla — Lindquist 4 run (kick failed) 8:57

Chugiak —Wilson 12 run (Rohlston kick) 6:09

Fourth quarter

Chugiak — Oshesky 1 run (Rohlston kick) 7:04

Chugiak — Huffer 5 run (Rohlston kick) 4:22

Chugiak — Huffer 4 run (Rohlston kick) 0:07

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

Rushing — Chugiak: Huffer 22-144, Wilson 8-63, Harr 7-34, Oshesky 2-9, Mathieu 1-6, Carlson 12-5, Jones 1-(-4); Wasilla: Lindquist 27-196, Hayes 25-65, Malave 8-34, Behnezar 1-15, Rodriquez 1-3.

PASSING — Chugiak: Wilson 5-11-0—77; Wasilla: Lindquist 2-10-1—10, Malave 0-4-0—0.

RECEIVING — Chugiak: Jones 3-49, Harr 1-15, Mathieu 1-13; Wasilla: L. Devine 1-7, Gibbs 13.