MYFA Moose downed in championship bid

ANCHORAGE -- The Matanuska Youth Football Association champion Palmer Moose took their undefeated record to Anchorage Monday to battle the Anchorage champion Clark Middle School for the seventh/eighth-grade state championship.

Despite a late rally, however, the Moose fell to Clark 36-20 in a game dominated by big plays from Clark Middle School.

"The big plays made all the difference in the game," said Palmer coach Vince Tubbs. "We played well defensively, but gave up the big runs that took us out of the game."

Palmer came into the game missing leading rusher Steel Tubbs, who sprained an ankle during practice on Friday. Tight end Cole Jacobson shifted to running back to replace Tubbs.

Although Jacobson did a fine job at running back, Tubbs' services were dearly missed as Palmer struggled to move the ball, with its big play threat only able to watch from the sidelines.

Clark drove and scored on the team's first drive on an 18-yard run to give Clark the early lead 6-0.

Palmer tied the score at 10:26 in the second quarter on a 22-yard pass from Jeremy Weber to Jacobson.

Jacobson made an outstanding catch by leaping to get a hand on the ball, bobbling it, and bringing it to his chest for the catch in the end zone.

Clark responded with a big 46-yard touchdown run and converted the two-point conversion to retake the lead 14-6.

Palmer came back with a drive late in the second quarter. Running back Devon Conroy took the ball to Clark's 3-yard line on a 22-yard run.

Conroy finished the drive on the next play, running up the middle for the 3-yard touchdown with 1:42 left in the half.

A pass from Weber to Levi Kincaid completed the two-point conversion to tie the game once again at 14-14.

Clark's big play running appeared again in the third quarter with touchdown runs of 76 and 33 yards to give Clark its biggest lead at 30-14.

Palmer cut the lead to 30-20 on a 25-yard run by Conroy at 8:38 in the fourth quarter. Conroy received excellent blocking at the line and downfield to bounce outside and run down the left side.

Following the kickoff by Palmer, a penalty and ejection occurred on a Clark player for unsportsmanlike conduct.

Referees continued throwing flags after the incident for another unsportsmanlike conduct penalty against the same player as he was leaving the field, followed by an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty against the Clark coach.

When the penalties were finally accrued, Clark had taken itself from its own 40-yard line back to its own 7-yard line.

Palmer held Clark and forced the team to punt from deep in its own end.

Palmer drove to Clark's 1-yard line following a 16-yard pass from Weber to Jacobson on fourth down, but Clark held Palmer on its next four downs to take the ball back on its own 3-yard line.

Clark drove again, capping a touchdown drive with a 76-yard touchdown run with seconds left in the game.

Clark went on to win the game, 36-20.

For the most part, Palmer's defense was able to contain Clark's running attack, but couldn't stop the big plays that plagued them all game.

"All of the kids stepped up to fill in," said Tubbs, referring to key injuries that reduced the team's capabilities. "I couldn't be prouder of these guys."