Prep football: Wasilla tops Colony in overtime

PALMER — Wasilla wide receiver Tim Orr caught a 6-yard touchdown pass on fourth down in overtime, and linebacker Casey Katchinska caused and recovered a Colony fumble to seal a 28-21 win over the Knights at Colony High School on Friday night.

The Warriors improved to 3-2 in Railbelt Conference play, and moved a step closer to notching one of three remaining Railbelt playoff spots. The win was also Wasilla's first over its crosstown rival since a 13-7 victory in 2001.

Wasilla took a 14-0 lead in the first half with Chris Crane and Beebo Russel touchdown runs. But Colony tied the game at 14-14 with a long Jaron Murphy touchdown reception. Geno Paoletti also scored for the Knights in the first half.

In the third quarter, Colony took a touchdown-lead with quarterback Collin Murphy's second touchdown pass of the game, a 10-yard toss to flanker Ryan Rupe.

Russel scored his second touchdown of the game for the Warriors with 6:19 remaining in regulation to tie the score at 21-21.

Colony slips to 2-3 in conference play with the loss, and its road to the 2007 postseason became more difficult with the outcome. The Railbelt playoff picture will become a bit more clear once Palmer's showdown with North Pole is final. The Moose and Patriots meet at 2 p.m. Saturday at Machetanz Field. Prior to action Friday, Palmer stood in second place with a 3-1 conference mark, while Colony, Wasilla and North Pole each stood at 2-2.

In other Valley action, Houston posted a crucial 28-21 win over Seward at Seward High School on Friday. The Hawks improved to 3-2 in the Greatland Conference. Houston, Valdez, Nikiski and Seward had been locked in a four-way tie at 2-2 in the conference.

See www.frontiersman.com for continued updates, and the Sunday edition of the Mat-Su Valley Fronitersman for full coverage of Valley prep football action.