Palmer enters new season, new conference

PALMER — For the second time in four years, the Palmer Moose are in a different prep football conference. Reclassification moved the Moose from the Division II Northern Lights Conference to the new Division II Railbelt with Interior programs Lathrop, West Valley and North Pole.

But it will be a while before the Moose see conference action. Palmer opens the season with four straight nonconference games.

“Build and be ready for conference,” Palmer head coach Rod Christiansen said of the mindset entering the season. “It’s really a puzzle with this tiny conference. Three games will decide who goes to the postseason.”

The Moose will play their Railbelt schedule weeks five through seven, with a road game at North Pole followed by home games against Lathrop and West Valley.

Palmer, which opened the season Saturday against Juneau, had the opportunity to scrimmage Wasilla and Redington last week.

“We were really happy with it,” Christiansen said. “We did some things really well, especially on the offensive side of the ball. Long way to go on defense.”

Leading the offense is senior quarterback Luke Guggenmos, who threw for more than 700 yards and five touchdowns en route to leading the Moose to the Division II championship game in his first season as starting quarterback last year.

“He has the potential to be as good as any quarterback we’ve ever had,” Christiansen, Palmer’s head coach since 1991, said. “He throws the ball very well, and has as good of field vision as anyone we’ve had.”

Christiansen said the Moose are also excited about the pieces surrounding Guggenmos, despite graduating a trio of running backs who combined to rush for more than 2,400 yards. Christiansen the Moose have three more running backs to help fill the void left by graduated seniors Larry Cutsforth, Jared Oviok and Jeff Glynn.

The new set of backs includes Jaden Christiansen, Lavar Marshall and Chase Bruesch. The Moose also return their two-man rotation at fullback from last year, Levi Farris and Duston Corbin. Makeehan Knittle and Leif Mumma are among options at wide receiver. Christiansen also noted Ronnie Marshall.

“We’ve got some guys who can bring some good size, speed. We’ve got good team speed,” Christiansen said.

Returning starter center Tyler Linder is among the leaders up front. Christiansen said the Moose also moved Parker Smith to guard, and he has been a leader. He also noted Dylan Hose.

Smith is also a returning starter at linebacker, and a leader on defense. Palmer’s crew of linebackers also includes Farris, Corbin and Ethan Bleakney. The defensive line includes Micah Natwick and Brady Shults.

Mumma is a returning starter in the defensive backfield.

The Moose host Valley rival Colony Aug. 17 at Palmer High.

** Editor’s note. This is a piece of a five-part series previewing the Valley’s prep football teams. Contact Frontiersman editor Jeremiah Bartz at sports@frontiersman.com.