Palmer High School graduate a captain of his college squad

WASILLA — When Michael Weber originally signed a National Letter of Intent to become a member of the Valley City State University football team, the former Palmer High School standout didn’t really know what to expect.

At Palmer, Weber was a standout on offense, defense and special teams. But, at 5-foot-9, he wasn’t sure how his skills would translate to the college game.

He did know he would get the chance to play, at minimum, on the junior varsity squad of the North Dakota school.

And just as he did in high school, Weber worked, and Weber was rewarded.

He worked his way from the junior varsity squad, onto the varsity team as a special teams player. Then he worked his way into the starting lineup.

And following his junior season, Weber was told he’d be a team captain for his senior campaign.

“It’s pretty exciting,” Weber, now a senior, said by phone on Wednesday. “I never really thought about (being a captain). It’s really exciting to have that opportunity, especially for a college team.”

As a freshman, the 2004 graduate of PHS played in each of Valley City’s five junior varsity games. Just before the end of his first season, Weber was told by his coaching staff that he was being added to the varsity roster and will travel with the team to Los Angeles, Calif., and suit up with the Vikings for the final game of the season against Azusa Pacific.

“I had no idea,” Weber said. “(The coach) said I want to reward you for busting your ass out here.”

Not only did Weber get to make the trip, but he was put on the Valley City kickoff team.

“It was amazing to travel with all the older guys, and see how things were when the team travels,” Weber said.

Weber began his sophomore season, 2005, as a reserve in the defensive backfield. But after a Valley City starter suffered a season-ending injury, Weber found himself in the varsity starting lineup.

Weber responded by having his best season to date. He finished the year third on the team with 62 total tackles, and he also returned a pair of interceptions for touchdowns.

Weber followed his sophomore campaign by finishing among team leaders with 50 total tackles as a junior.

As a sophomore Weber cemented himself as the starting free safety on a Viking defense that traditionally boasts one of the best defensive backfields in the Dakota 10 Conference.

The Vikings rely heavily on the cover two and cover three defensive formations, and Weber said he rarely leaves the field when the Vikings are on defense.

Weber’s sophomore year not only marked his first season as a starter, but the year he and the Vikings earned the Dakota 10 title.

The Vikings finished 7-3 overall and 6-1 in conference play.

“It was amazing,” Weber said. “It’s one of the greatest moments I can remember.”

As difficult as the NAIA playoffs are, Weber said winning the conference championship is the crowning achievement for the Vikings.

“It’s like winning state in high school,” Weber said.

Weber has also had the opportunity to play with several other players from Alaska throughout his time in Valley City. There are currently 19 players on the Valley City roster, and Weber is one of three Valley athletes on the squad.

Wasilla graduate Matt Crane and Palmer graduate Kelly Devon are both freshman on the team.

“There are four or five of us starting,” Weber said. “We’re all pretty good buddies.”

Weber has probably exceeded all expectations he had when he initially decided to join the Valley City squad. But last week, he experienced something that nobody expected.

During the second quarter of Valley City’s loss to Black Hills State, Weber went head-to-head with a Black Hills running back. The hit was the apparent cause of a concussion. Weber played the remainder of the half, but during halftime Weber suffered a seizure.

“It gave the whole team a scare,” Weber said.

Weber said he was diagnosed with a concussion, and will see a neurologist on Monday.

He’ll be out of action when the Vikings face Dakota State on Saturday, and is not exactly sure when he’ll be back in the lineup.

“It’s hard to say,” Weber said. “I feel pretty normal besides a little headache here and there.”

Weber said doctors thought dehydration could have also been a factor in causing the seizure.

Once he completes his degree requirements at Valley City — he is close to receiving a bachelor’s degree in business marketing and management — Weber hopes to return to the Valley.

“I’m definitely coming back to Alaska,” Weber said.

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

Mat-Su Valley Hometown Heroes

The following is a list of some of the former athletes hailing from the Mat-Su Valley currently competing on the college and professional level. To submit information about a Mat-Su Valley student-athlete who is currently on a college or professional squad, e-mail sports@frontiersman.com.

Football:

Junior Aumavae (Palmer 2004) is a junior defensive lineman at Western Washington University. The Vikings suffered a 44-10 loss to eighth-ranked Nebraska-Omaha on Sept. 15. WWU faces North Dakota on Saturday … Dominick Bellotte (Colony 2005) is a junior defensive lineman at Valparaiso (Ind.) University. Valpo is 2-1 after a 38-24 win over Kalamazoo (Mich.) on Sept. 15. The Crusaders play Marian (Ind.) on Saturday. Bellotte has four tackles and a half-sack in three games … Kyle Coffman (Colony 2005) is a redshirt sophomore at Western Oregon University. Coffman, who initially signed to play football at Bemidji State, is a linebacker. WOU is 3-0 after a 22-14 win over Texas A&M-Kingsville on Sept. 15. The Wolves face Cal-Poly on Saturday … Matt Crane (Wasilla 2005) is a sophomore wide receiver at Valley City State (N.D.). Crane posted three catches for 22 yards in a 37-17 loss to Black HIlls State (S.D.) on Sept. 15. He now has four catches for 54 yards in two games. Valley City plays Dakota State on Saturday … Kelly Devon (Palmer 2007) is a freshman offensive lineman at Valley City State … Tim Egger (Colony 2006) is a sophomore at the University of Arizona. Egger was recently promoted to second-string punter. The Wildcats are 1-2 after a 29-27 loss to New Mexico on Sept. 15. The Wildcats face sixth-ranked California on Saturday … Rob Fitch (Colony 2007) is a freshman fullback at Jamestown College (N.D.). The Jimmies are 3-0 after a 28-16 win over Minot State (N.D.). Jamestown meets Mayville State (N.D.) on Saturday … Tanner Grover (Palmer 2007) is a redshirt freshman defensive back at Western Oregon. WOU is 2-0 after a 32-20 win over Linfield (Ore.). WOU is 3-0 after a 22-14 win over Texas A&M-Kingsville on Sept. 15. The Wolves face Cal-Poly on Saturday … Jake Heun (Palmer 2006) is a sophomore linebacker at City College of San Francisco. The Rams are 2-1 after a 19-16 loss to Fresno CC on Sept. 15. The Rams face Chabot (Calif.) on Saturday. Heun has 13 tackles in three games … George Percak-Dennett (Colony 2007) is a redshirt freshman at Bemidji State (Minn.) University. The Beavers are 2-1 after a 27-3 win over Minnesota State- Moorhead on Sept. 15. Bemidji State meets Minnesota Crookston on Saturday … Justin Schwartzbauer (Colony 2005) is a sophomore wide receiver at Weber State University. The Wildcats are 0-2 after a 47-19 loss to Cal Poly on Sept. 15. The Wildcats meet Montana State on Saturday … Nathan Svedin (Palmer 2007) is a freshman tight end at Southern Oregon University. The Raiders are 1-2 after a 37-11 loss to Idaho State on Sept. 8, and face Williamette (Ore.) on Saturday … Mike Weber (Palmer 2004) is a senior defensive back at Valley City State (N.D.). Weber, a Valley City captain, registered five total tackles in a 37-17 loss to Black Hills State (S.D.) on Sept. 15. He now has 11 tackles in two games for the 0-2 Vikings. VCSU plays Dakota State on Saturday.

Cross country running:

Emma Bohman (Palmer 2007) is a freshman at the University of Alaska Anchorage. She finished 48th (23:58) in the Sundodger Invitational on Sept. 15 in Seattle. UAA will compete in the Williamette (Ore.) Invitational on Sept. 29 … Suzanna Caldwell (Wasilla 2006) is a sophomore at UAA. She finished 17th (21:29) in a dual against Slippery Rock on Sept. 1 … Johanna Doner (Colony 2007) is a freshman at UAA. She finished 87th in the Sundodger Invite … Peter Doner (Colony 2005) is a freshman at the UAA. Doner transfered from Adams State (Colo.). Doner finished 11th (24:33) in a dual against Slippery Rock on Sept. 1 … Ardrienna Everett (Colony 2007) is a freshman at UAA … Allan Spangler (Colony 2005) is a sophomore at UAA. Spangler transfered from UAF. He finished 22nd (26:26) in a dual against Slippery Rock.

Junior hockey

Chase Allington (Colony) is in his first season with the Fargo-Moorhead Jets of the North American Hockey League. Allington skated from the Beaver Valley Nitehawks of the Junior A Kootenay International Junior Hockey League last season … Jeremiah Dargis (Wasilla 2007) is in his first season with the Alaska Avalanche of the North American Hockey League. Dargis has a goal and an assist for the Avs … Cody Gable (Palmer) is in his second season with the Billings Bulls of the NOR PAC Hockey League. Gable is a defenseman … Larry Kincaid (Houston 2006) is in his second season with the Alaska Avalanche of the NAHL. Kincaid has three points (1-2-3) in two games.

Men’s soccer:

Zach Bennett (Wasilla 2006) is a sophomore defensman at Southwestern Oregon Community College … Jared Berberich (Palmer 2006) is a sophomore defenseman at Tacoma Community College … Jeff Champion (Wasilla 2007) is a freshman at Southwestern Oregon Community College … John Pahkala (Wasilla 2007) is a freshman at Peninsula College (Wash.)

Professional hockey

Nathan Schwartzbauer (Colony 2000) recently signed a contract with the Phoenix Roadrunners of the East Coast Hockey League. He is scheduled to report to the training camp of the San Antonio Rampage of the American Hockey League this month.

Professional women’s basketball:

Jessica Moore (Colony 2000) recently finished her second season with the Los Angeles Sparks of the Women’s National Basketball Association. Moore averaged 4.2 points and 3.1 rebounds in 29 games during the 2007 season. She made 17 starts.

Women’s volleyball:

Carlie Douglas (Wasilla 2005) is a junior middle blocker at the Illinois Institute of Technology. The Scarlett Hawks are 12-3, and host St. Xavier on Sept. 25 … Kelcy Joynt (Colony 2006) is a sophomore middle blocker at Pacific Lutheran (Wash.) University. Joynt leads her squad in both total blocks (23) and aces (21). She also has 101 kills and 118 digs. PLU is 7-3 and faces George Fox (Ore.) on Saturday… Jessie Macknicki (Palmer 2004) is a senior outside hitter at Eastern New Mexico University. Macknicki has a team-high 153 kills and 177 digs for the 3-14 Zias. ENMU suffered a 3-0 loss to West Texas A&M on Sept. 15, and face Abilene Christian (Texas) on Sept. 27 … Jordan Pokryfki (Colony 2006) is a sophomore at Keene State (N.H..) College. Keene is 7-6 after a 3-2 loss to Colby-Sawyer (N.H.) College on Tuesday, and face Eastern Connecticut State on Sept. 22. Pokryfki recorded 44 assists in the loss to Colby-Sawyer.