Rabid Wolves down Hawks

CHUGIAK — The Eagle River Wolves were in unfamiliar territory on Saturday.

During their short run on the varsity level, Eagle River has typically been a squad on the losing end of lopsided contests. But on Saturday, the Wolves switched roles.

The Wolves rushed for 302 yards and seven touchdowns and posted a 57-0 nonconference win over the Houston Hawks at Chugiak High School.

Buron Bell and Malcomb Bell each ran for a pair of scores as the Wolves posted just their second victory in the four-year history of the Eagle River varsity program.

“Eagle River’s a better team than they have been in the last couple years,” Houston head coach Norm Bouchard said. “They’re going to win some football games this year.”

Brandon Metzel collected a game-high 81 yards on seven carries, and was one of six Eagle River players to reach the end zone.

Travis Ahlgren hauled in a 25-yard Augustin Ortiz touchdown pass midway through the first to give the Wolves the early lead. Metzel used a 10-yard scoring run to push Eagle River’s lead to 15-0 by the four-minute mark of the first frame.

Kasen Lehman and Austin Thompson also scored for Eagle River (1-0).

Houston, a squad that hopes to base its offense on the run, was held to less than 50 yards rushing in the game, but the Hawks did collect 87 yards through the air.

Beau Frank, in relief of captain and starting quarterback Zack Qual, finished 8-for-15 with 60 yards passing.

“Beau Frank did a nice job filling in for Zack,” Bouchard said.

Qual was lost for the contest late in the second period. Qual should be fine, Bouchard said, but the senior was one of a handful of Hawks who had to leave the field with help during the game.

“We’re not real deep, so in a game like this, when we’ve got some kids hurt, it’s tough to come back,” Bouchard said.

Junior Brandon Dukes, who impressed coaches as a sophomore, finished with a team-high 27 yards on 12 carries. Qual added 13 yards.

Eagle River 57, Houston 0

Saturday, Chugiak High School

First quarter

Eagle River — Ahlgren 25 pass from Ortiz (Lehman run) 8:19.

Eagle River — Metzel 10 run (No. 80 kick) 4:13.

Second quarter

Eagle River — B. Bell 7 run (pass failed) 11:15.

Eagle River — Lehman 37 run (No. 80 kick) 9:01.

Third quarter

Eagle River — B. Bell 8 run (No. 80 kick) 9:20.

Eagle River — M. Bell 29 run (No. 80 kick) 7:35.

Eagle River — M. Bell 20 run (No. 80 kick) 3:38.

Eagle River — Thompson 2 run (Carlos run) 10:37.

Individual statistics

RUSHING — Houston: Dukes 12-27, Qual 5-13, Co. Buzby 5-1, Frank 5-(-7), Barron 3-(-1), Eagle River: Metzel 7-81, M. Bell 7-72, B. Bell 6-53, Boling 5-21, Thompson 5-20, Lehman 3-48, Bagnasco 1-6, Harrison 1-1,

PASSING — Houston: Qual 3-7-0—22, Frank 8-15-0—65; Eagle River: Ortiz 2-4-0—29.

RECEIVING — Houston: No. 11 4-30, Dukes 3-11, Ch. Buzby 2-19, Barron 2-12, Malidore 1-15; Eagle River: Ahlgren 1-25, Metzel 1-4.