Palmer scores big win over Lathrop

PALMER — It didn’t take long for the Palmer Moose running game to set the tone Friday night.

Senior Chase Ferris broke away for a 63-yard touchdown score on Palmer’s first offensive play of the game, and the Moose rolled to a 35-19 nonconference win over Lathrop at Machetanz Field in Palmer.

“It was really great to be able to do that,” Palmer head coach Rod Christiansen said by cellphone Saturday afternoon. “It was well blocked, and Lathrop was gunning to stop the run. They had nobody back, and it was a footrace after that.”

Ferris and sophomore Jeff Glynn combined for five rushing touchdowns to help the Moose improve to 2-0, and beat a large schools opponent for the second straight week. Ferris added an 18-yard touchdown run in the first half for the Moose, who are now members of the medium schools Northern Lights Conference. Glynn added a 31-yard touchdown run in the first half, and scored twice during the final two quarters.

Palmer now has a combined eight rushing touchdowns and a touchdown pass in its first two games of the season, but Christiansen said the Moose are still a work in progress.

“It’s up and down,” Christiansen said.

The Moose saw a few drives stall deep in Lathrop territory, but Christiansen said his team is showing the ability to sustain long drives early in the season.

“It’s real important for us to control the ball,” Christiansen said.

Palmer led 21-0 in the first half, but Lathrop used a pair of second-quarter touchdowns to climb back into the game. Senior quarterback Glenn Maiden Jr put the Malemutes on the scoreboard with a first-half touchdown pass to Kodie Martin.

One of two onside kicks recovered by Lathrop set up the Malemutes second score of the game. Maiden cut the Palmer lead to 21-13 late in the half with a touchdown pass to Sergio Salcido.

Lathrop added a third touchdown midway through the third quarter, but the Palmer defense used big defensive stops to prevent the Malemutes from chewing any deeper into Palmer’s advantage. Palmer forced five turnovers. Vanu Mose intercepted a Maiden pass, and the Moose recovered four fumbles.

Friday marked the 2015 season-opener for the Malemutes, who were idle in Week 1.

Complete statistics were not available as of press time.