Palmer opens season with loss to defending champs

ANCHORAGE — Opening the 2014 season against the defending state champion, longtime Palmer head coach Rod Christiansen knew his Moose would have their hands full.

West Anchorage, which edged Palmer 26-23 in overtime in the 2013 semifinals, used a big first half to score a 28-6 nonconference win over the Moose at Anchorage Football Stadium Friday evening. The game goes down as a nonconference loss for the Moose, but Christiansen said he certainly saw some good things from his squad in its 2014 debut.

“All in all, we really improved as the game went along,” Christiansen said by phone. “I’m really happy with the boys not giving up, fighting back.”

West used early momentum to build a big lead. The Eagles scored twice during the first eight minutes of regulation, and led 28-0 midway through the second quarter. West senior quarterback Sam Wedin finished with 344 yards passing, and connected with Lazono Martin on a pair of scores within a four-minute span late in the first.

Palmer features a variety of new starters on offense and defense. Christiansen said if anything, the contest presented a great opportunity to learn.

“Especially against a throwing team. A lot of the young guys coming up from (junior varsity) haven’t seen much of a passing game,” Christiansen said. “It makes us better as we move along.

I think its good in a lot of ways for us to play a tough opponent,” Christiansen said. “They weren’t giving us any yards without us working for them.”

Palmer’s completely new backfield finished with 226 yards rushing in the game. Jared Layton led the Moose with 53 yards on 15 carries. Wayne Hershman added 46 yards, Chase Ferris finished with 37 and Nick Daniels chipped in 31.

“We did some things really well on offense, both the running and passing game,” Christiansen said. “There are a lot of things we need to improve on.”

Palmer notched its lone score of the night with 46 seconds left in the second quarter. First-year starting quarterback Justin Roth connected with Ferris on a 4-yard scoring pass. Roth completed five passes for 45 yards. Ferris led the Moose with four catches for 39 yards.

The Palmer defense held West scoreless in the final two quarters.

“West played pretty well on offense. In the second half we stopped them a lot better,” Christiansen said.

Palmer also had the chance to cut the West lead to a pair of scores in the third goal, but a drive stalled with a fumble inside the West 2-yard line.

Contact Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman sports editor Jeremiah Bartz at sports@frontiersman.com.

West 28, Palmer 6

Friday, Anchorage Football Stadium

First quarter:

West — Seiu 5 run (Metcalf kick) 9:07.

West — Martin 24 pass from Wedin (Metcalf kick) 4:14.

West — Martin 26 pass from Wedin (Metcalf kick) 0:06.

Second quarter:

West — Murchinson 1 run (Metcalf kick) 6:04.

Palmer — Ferris 4 pass from Roth (kick failed) 0:46.

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

RUSHING — Palmer: Layton 15-53, Hershman 8-46, Angol 3-37, Ferris 11-37, Daniels 6-31, Roth 4-18, Farris 2-4; West: Seui 5-22, Wedin 4-22, Muchison 9-17, Tagalu 2-7, Boling 2-7, Tuilmu 1-3, Lazono 1-(-3).

PASSING — Palmer: Roth 5-14-1—45, West: Wedin 24-37-1—344.

RECEIVING — Palmer: Ferris 4-39, Spatz 1-6; West: Martin 6-97, Leon 6-85, Bell 5-51, Taylor 3-41, Tagalu 2-62, No. 9 1-2.