Northern State gets package deal

PALMER — Shannon Sawyer and Devin Konkler were two of the reasons why the Palmer Moose had the chance to compete in the ASAA large-schools state title game for the fourth time in program history.

Sawyer and Konkler combined for three first-quarter touchdowns during Palmer’s 28-14 state semifinal win over the Service Cougars.

While their Palmer High School football careers are now over, the seniors have ensured themselves of the chance to win a few more football games together. Konkler and Sawyer have committed to Northern State University, and both will play football for the Division II program in Aberdeen, S.D.

Sawyer and Konkler, a pair of first-team all-state selections in 2007, each had a handful of options. But ultimately, the pair that have shared a backfield since their days in the Matanuska Youth Football Association, decided to continue their careers together.

“There’s nothing like going to school with your best friend,” Sawyer said.

The option to move to the collegiate level with a teammate was certainly a deciding factor for both players.

“I wanted someone I knew to go down with,” Konkler said.

Sawyer, a 5-foot-10 and 210 pound fullback and linebacker, sifted through a variety of options before making his final choice.

Sawyer considered the University of Dayton, a Division I-AA program in Dayton, Ohio. The University of Mary, where Palmer senior Everest Moore is slated to play next year, was another option.

A student-athlete who excels academically, as well as athletically, Sawyer was even offered a $33,000 academic scholarship from the University of Dayton, he said.

“It was tough to turn down that much money,” Sawyer said.

Despite Dayton’s offer, Northern State turned out to be the best fit for Sawyer, in terms of both athletics and academics.

Sawyer, who plans to study either pre-law or business, said Northern State also offered a significant academic scholarship package. He will also have the chance to earn athletic scholarships in the future.

Another factor in his decision, Sawyer said, is his relationship with Northern State defensive coordinator Richard Sweeney.

“I really love his coaching style,” Sawyer said of Sweeney, a coach he had the chance to work with during the All-Alaska Football Camp at Colony High School.

Sawyer, a four-year starter at linebacker during his prep career, will stay at linebacker at the college level. Sawyer had success at fullback as a senior, blocking for Konkler and running for 385 yards and four touchdowns during the regular season, but the Palmer senior knows he’s meant to play on the defensive side of the ball.

“I don’t know how I’d cope with not being a linebacker,” Sawyer said.

Sawyer averaged double digits in tackles as a senior, and earned first-team all-state and all-conference honors during his final season. He was named second-team All-Railbelt Conference at linebacker as a junior.

At Palmer, Sawyer had the rare opportunity of starting on the varsity level as a freshman.

“He’s one of the only guys I could tell you,” Palmer head coach Rod Christiansen, who has been at the helm of PHS football since 1991, said.

Even though Sawyer is not among the biggest prospects Northern State will recruit, Christiansen feels Sawyer has the ability to contribute on the Division II level.

“He’s not super big, but he’s very strong of his age,” Christiansen said. “What’s so great is he’s willing to do whatever you ask as a coach.”

Sawyer could play either inside or outside linebacker.

“I definitely think I’m more of an inside guy,” Sawyer said.

While Sawyer will stay on the defensive side, Konkler will focus on carrying the ball.

Konkler, a 6-foot and 180-pound running back, shattered the 1,000-yard rushing mark as a senior. The first-team all-conference and all-state selection ran for 934 yards and nine touchdowns during the regular season. He posted 224 yards and two scores in a quarterfinal playoff win over Wasilla, and collected 176 yards and two first-quarter touchdowns in the semifinal win over Service.

While strength gives Sawyer an advantage, speed is certainly central to Konkler’s game.

“That slashing speed,” Christiansen said.

Konkler, who will 100- and 200-meter sprints and two relay events as part of the PHS track team this spring, said he has been running in the 4.5-second range in the 40-yard dash. He hopes to slide into the 4.4’s.

Because of his speed and size, Christiansen also said Konkler could be a good receiver at the college level.

“You can’t discount his ability to be a receiver,” Christiansen said.

Konkler sees himself fitting in at both the running back and slot positions.

“I like catching the ball too,” Konkler said.

Before deciding on Northern State, Konkler had seriously considered Bemidji State University, the program that lured Wasilla High School standout Zach Orr to Minnesota.

Valley City State, an NAIA program in North Dakota popular with Alaska athletes, was also an option.

But like Sawyer, Northern State provided the best fit for Konkler, athletically and academically.

Konkler plans to study sports marketing in Aberdeen.

Sawyer and Konkler continue a long line of Palmer football players who have gone on to play at the collegiate level.

Moore, the state’s lineman of the year, signed with the University of Mary earlier this year.

Among other Palmer graduates currently on college rosters are Tanner Grover (Western Oregon), Nate Svedin (Southern Oregon), Kelly Devon (Valley City State), Jake Heun (Hawaii), Junior Aumavae (Western Washington) and Mike Weber (Valley City State).

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