Prep football preview: Hard working Palmer Moose have some holes to fill

PALMER - The Palmer High School football squad has one of the largest turnouts the program has seen in years.

About 90 players have participated during the first two weeks of practice, head coach Rod Christiansen said.

&#8220It's the most we've had in a while,” Christiansen said.

Good thing, because the Moose have a lot of holes to fill.

Palmer graduated 15 players from a squad that advanced to the 2005 state championship game. Many of those players were all-conference athletes, most were starters.

&#8220We've got a lot of holes to fill, but this is a hard working group,” said Christiansen, who is starting his 16th year at the helm of Palmer football.

Rather than dwelling on the losses, the Moose are

looking toward the future.

&#8220We're getting there. It's going to be something where we improve as the year goes on,” Christiansen said. &#8220This is really a blue collar group. It's a matter of learning their positions and getting better at their skills. They're not super flashing, but we can do some things.”

The Moose only have a few players with significant varsity time - a small bunch led by senior Tanner Grover, senior Nate Svedin and junior Shannon Sawyer - but Palmer has a host of part-timers and junior varsity veterans ready to fill the void.

Grover is one of Palmer's most athletic players, and will be a force in the defensive backfield, Christiansen said. On offense, Grover served in sort of a utility role last season, but should get more touches this year.

Svedin is a player who improved throughout his junior campaign, and at tight end he began to play an important role in the passing game late in the year. He will be Palmer's starting tight end this year, and will see time at defensive end.

Sawyer is a budding star on defense who should follow in the long line of impact linebackers Palmer has produced. On offense Sawyer will play fullback.

Palmer has several candidates to carry the ball in it's shotgun, split back formation. The small, but speedy 5-foot-7 senior Haakan Bowman will get his carries. Junior Devin Konkler, another fast athlete, will see time in the slot, Christiansen said.

Platooning at the fullback position will be Sawyer, Ryan Thorn and Justin Ratcliff.

Christiansen the Moose still have a pair of signal callers battling for the top quarterback spot. Senior Landon Grover, Tanner's twin brother, or junior Conrad Smith will start.

Leading the Moose on the line is senior Kelly Devon.

&#8220He's a lot strong and quicker,” Christiansen said. &#8220He's really improved himself.”

Senior Ian Heindel is another veteran who contributed last year. Heindel will play linebacker on defense and along the offensive line.

Other lineman to watch are Everest Moore, J.D. Mitchell and Drew Frohling.

The Moose start the 2006 season tonight, hosting West Anchorage at 7 p.m. Palmer follows with consecutive road games at Soldotna and

Lathrop.

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