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MAT-SU — The Palmer Moose stand strong at No. 4 in the latest Alaska Sports Broadcasting Network football poll, released Monday.
The Moose are ranked fourth in the large-schools list for the second straight week following a season-opening 14-0 win over East Anchorage at Anchorage Football Stadium.
Returning all-state quarterback Jackson Buresh threw a touchdown pass and ran for another in the nonconference win. Palmer notched both its scores in the first half. The Moose outgained the Thunderbirds 234 to 115 in total yards.
“You never know what to expect the first week,” Palmer head coach Rod Christiansen told the Frontiersman following the game.
Palmer was the lone Valley team to earn a win during the first week of the season, and is the lone Mat-Su squad to be recognized in either poll.
Bartlett moved to No. 1 following a 51-26 win over West Valley, which was ranked fifth before dropping out this week. South Anchorage, the preseason No. 1, is not ranked this week after a loss to third-ranked Chugiak.
Service, which played to a 34-34 tie with Leilehua, Hawaii, in Hawaii last Thursday is now ranked second. Dimond, fifth, moved into the top 5 after a 31-0 win over Colony.
Juneau-Douglas, West and South also received votes. Juneau beat Capital City rival Thunder Mountain 68-0 and West Anchorage beat North Pole 44-28.
Soldotna stayed at the top of the small-schools poll following a 41-16 win over Eagle River. Skyview jumped to No. 2 after its 32-20 upset of Wasilla at Wasilla High.
“They’ve got a good group of seniors who came out and have been preparing for a long time this year,” Wasilla head coach Kent Rilatos said after the loss to the Panthers.
Kenai, which beat Eielson 44-22, dropped one spot to No. 3 in the poll. Kodiak is fourth after a 34-18 win over Soldotna. Nikiski is fifth following a 26-6 victory over Monroe.
Homer and Barrow also received votes.
Contact Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman sports editor Jeremiah Bartz at sports@frontiersman.com and follow him at twitter.com/matsu_sports.
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