Prep football preview: Moose hope to fill holes left by graduation, rebuild defense

PALMER — The Palmer Moose have a few holes to fill.

Graduation hit the 2007 large-school state runner-up at nearly every position, but as Palmer head coach Rod Christiansen gazes across his depth chart, he could be most concerned with filling some of the holes left on the defensive side of the ball.

“We’re rebuilding the defense,” Christiansen said earlier this week. “Not many starters returned.”

Now, Christiansen and the Moose are looking to a new generation of starters to lead the Moose defense.

“We managed to do pretty well defensively last year,” Christiansen said. “That’s what we really need to do this year — get after people, stop people.”

Among the top veterans returning to the Moose defense is senior linebacker J.D. Mitchell.

“He’s been a starter for two years,” Christiansen said. “a good guy to build around.”

Also returning is senior defensive back Mitch Swetzof and junior defensive end John Daly.

Seniors Dan Contini and Kevin Priestly, a pair of returning starters on the offensive line, will also play on the defensive front, Christiansen said.

Although the Moose do have some holes to fill, Christiansen is confident about the group of players who had success on the junior varsity level.

Joining Mitchell at linebacker are senior Henry Thorne, junior John Scoresby and junior Coleman Ahrens.

The Moose also have senior Ransom Kelly and senior Raymond Chapman on the line, and sophomore Jim McCall in the defensive backfield.

Junior Brennan Bohman also saw time at defensive back as a sophomore.

Palmer will build its offense around the offensive line, a unit that returns three starters from 2007. Priestly, Contini and Mitchell are all back.

Contini will return to his starting guard spot, Mitchell will once again line up at tight end and Priestly will move to guard and make room for junior Evan Parsons at center.

The Moose also have Chapman, senior David Zoerb and senior Curtis Nelson on the offensive line.

Palmer will have a few new faces in the backfield, most notably first-year quarterback Dustin Silva. The junior has inherited the spot left by graduated senior Conrad Smith, a two-year starter.

Christiansen said the Moose have a host of running backs capable of running the ball. The group includes Ahrens, Scoresby, Daly, Bohman and junior Zach Zegzdryn.

Bohman rushed for 311 yards and three touchdowns last season.

“We should be able to move the ball around — five, six, seven different people.” Christiansen said. “We shouldn’t be able to key on one guy.”

Leading the Moose on the outside is Swetzof, a 6-foot-3, 195-pound versatile threat.

“Swetzof can play anywhere,” Christiansen said. “He has great potential as a receiver.”

Palmer opens the 2007 season today against South Anchorage at Anchorage Football Stadium.

“It’ll definitely be a real interesting matchup,” Christiansen said.

Both the Moose and the Wolverines ended their 2007 against Juneau-Douglas. Juneau beat South in the state semifinals and the Moose in the state title game the following week.

“South is always strong,” Christiansen said. “We’ll have our work cut out for us.”

Next week, the Moose will travel to Fairbanks to open their Railbelt Conference schedule against Lathrop. Consecutive home games against West Valley and Juneau will follow.

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