Quick study: Newcomer fits well into Wasilla attack

Aug. 14, 2007

BY JEREMIAH BARTZ/Frontiersman

ANCHORAGE -- Joe Barkley has spent most of his days as an athlete at Wasilla High School pushing pucks up and down the ice of local arenas.

But on Friday, Barkley spent his time running up and down the turf of Anchorage Football Stadium.

Playing in his first football game since the seventh grade, Barkley intercepted three passes - returning one for a touchdown - and gained 79 yards on offense to help lead the Warriors to a 41-6 win over Eagle River.

&#8220He dominated,” Wasilla senior offensive tackle Zach Orr said.

Despite his frame - Barkley is only 5-foot-7 - the senior's presence was felt on both sides of the ball.

In the first half, Barkley intercepted a pair of Denis Meyer passes. Barkley's first interception came on Eagle River's first drive of the game. Barkley stepped in front of Eagle River receiver Kasen Lehman and picked off a Meyer pass in the end zone to halt a potential scoring drive.

In the second half, Barkley picked off a pass by Eagle River reserve Agustin Ortiz III, and returned it 33 yards for a score.

On offense, Barkley factored heavily into the success of Wasilla's wishbone running game, scampering for 79 yards on nine carries. He also caught an 8-yard pass.

Barkley credited the Wasilla coaching staff for the success in his varsity debut.

&#8220Good coaching,” Barkley said. &#8220I came out here not knowing much. They taught me everything I know.”

Before his senior season Barkley played only hockey and soccer at Wasilla. He's been a standout on the varsity pucks squad since his freshman season, and was a regular on the varsity boys' soccer squad as a junior.

Barkley said making the transition from hockey to football was not that difficult, and things such as the toughness needed to have success are similar. The biggest thing, Barkley said, was learning the coverages on defense.

Wasilla head coach Jim Shetter said Barkley was in his U.S. history class last year, and he frequently talked to Barkley about giving football another try. But Barkley said there was not a need for much convincing.

&#8220He's just an awesome guy,” Barkley said. &#8220(This team) had good guys coming out, and they all want to win. That's why I came out.”

Railbelt round-up

Three Railbelt programs opened the 2007 season with lopsided victories.

Colony, Juneau-Douglas and Wasilla each posted 41 or more points against nonconference foes.

Colony sprinted past Eielson 47-0 in the Interior, Juneau handed Kodiak a 41-0 loss and Wasilla powered past Eagle River 41-6.

Palmer, Lathrop, North Pole and West Valley are each 0-1 after the first week.

The Moose suffered the loss with the smallest margain, falling to Dimond 19-14.

North Pole surrended the most points in the state, losing to Soldotna 62-42.

Lathrop and West Valley each allowed 44 points in loses. Bartlett beat Lathrop 44-30 and West Anchorage beat West Valley 44-35.

Another 300

Many running backs don't have in a career what Bill Chimphalee has in two games against the Houston Hawks.

For the second straight season the Kenai Central senior topped the 300-yard rushing mark in a win over the Houston Hawks. Last season, Chimphalee rushed for 336 yards in a 66-7 win over the Hawks.

On Saturday, Chimphalee gained 312 yards on the ground. He also rushed for three scores, and snagged a touchdown catch.

Knights move into

latest state poll

The Colony Knights, which opened the 2007 season with a 47-0 rout of Eielson in Fairbanks on Friday, are ranked fourth in the most recent Alaska Sports Broadcasting Network statewide media poll.

Joining Colony as Railbelt Conference representatives in the rankings is Juneau, which defeated Kodiak 41-0 Saturday. Chugiak, which opened the season with a 10-7 win over South, is the state's top-ranked Large Schools squad.

Palmer, which entered the season ranked third in the Large Schools poll, fell out of the top five after suffering a 19-14 loss to Dimond Saturday in Anchorage. The Lynx moved to fifth with the win.

Soldotna and Kenai Central continued to hold down the top spots in the Small Schools poll. Palmer will host top-ranked SoHi at 7 p.m. Friday. The Stars opened the season with a 62-42 win over North Pole, which hosts Colony at 1 p.m. Saturday.

The Wasilla Warriors, who defeated Eagle River 41-6, are scheduled to play at 6 p.m. Friday at West Valley.

Contact the Frontiersman Sports department at sports@frontiersman.com

State Football Poll

Alaska Sports Broadcasting Network

Statewide Football Media Poll

Week 2

LARGE SCHOOLS

1. Chugiak 1-0

2. Service 1-0

3. Juneau 1-0

4. Colony 1-0

5. Dimond 1-0

Others receiving votes: South, West, Bartlett

SMALL SCHOOLS

1. Soldotna 1-0

2. Kenai 1-0

3. Skyview 1-0

4. Homer 1-0

5, Valdez 1-0

Week 1 Mat-Su leaders

Rushing

Player-school Att. Yards TDs

J. Murphy- Col 15 188 2

C. Crane- Was 11 96 1

D. Mouton- Col 15 92 2

J. Barkley- Was 9 79 0

M. Chafin- Was 8 62 0

I. Morales- Hou 8 59 0

B. Russel- Was 6 50 0

C. Smith- Pal 7 50 0

Passing

Player-school Att Comp. Yards TD Int

J. Webb- Hou 23 34 217 0 0

C. Smith- Pal 9 19 166 1 2

B. Truax- Col 8 18 82 1 2

A. Lavern- Was 6 14 80 3 0

Receving

Player-school Rec. Yards TD

B. Mason- Hou 8 103 0

J. Draughon- Pal 6 72 0

J. Contreras- Hou 4 41 0

Stinson- Hou 4 14 0

I. Morales- Hou 3 25 0

D.Mouton- Col 3 16 1

Rupe- Col 2 21 0

Railbelt Conference Standings

Conference Overall

Team W-L PF-PA W-L PF-PA Pct.

Colony 0-0 0-0 1-0 47-0 1.000

Juneau 0-0 0-0 1-0 41-0 1.000

Wasilla 0-0 0-0 1-0 41-6 1.000

Lathrop 0-0 0-0 0-1 30-44 0.000

North Pole 0-0 0-0 0-1 42-62 0.000

Palmer 0-0 0-0 0-1 14-19 0.000

West Valley 0-0 0-0 0-1 35-44 0.000

Week 1 results:

Colony 47, Eielson 0 (nc)

Wasilla 41, Eagle River 6 (nc)

Soldotna 62, North Pole 42 (nc)

Dimond 19, Palmer 14 (nc)

West Anchorage 44, West Valley 35 (nc)

Juneau 41, Kodiak 0 (nc)

Bartlett 44, Lathrop 30 (nc)

Friday's games:

Wasilla @ West Valley, 6 p.m.

Soldotna @ Palmer, 7 p.m. (nc)

Saturday's games:

Colony @ North Pole, 1 p.m.

Juneau @ Lathrop, 7 p.m.

Greatland Conference

Conference Overall

Team W-L PF- PA W-L PF-P Pct.

Valdez 1-0 56-13 1-0 56-13 1.000

Barrow 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 .0000

Eielson 0-0 0-0 0-1 0-47 0.000

Houston 0-0 0-0 0-1 0-46 0.000

Seward 0-0 0-0 0-1 0-36 0.000

Nikiski 0-0 0-0 0-1 6-54 0.000

Delta 0-1 13-56 0-1 13-56 0.000

Week 1 results:

Colony 47, Eielson 0 (nc)

Skyview 56, Nikiski 6 (nc)

Valdez 56, Delta 13

Homer 36, Seward 0 (nc)

Friday's games:

Houston @ Eielson, 6 p.m.

Delta @ Nikiski, 6 p.m.

Seward @ Barrow, 7 p.m.

Saturday's game:

Skyview @ Valdez, 1 p.m.