Redington opens prep football season with a victory

The Redington Huskies kicked off the 2024 prep football season with a big win at Kodiak. And Redington would end the weekend as the lone Valley squad to pick up a victory during the first week of the year.

Senior quarterback Christian Ingraham accounted for six total touchdowns in the win over the Bears Thursday night in Kodiak. Ingraham rushed for three scores, and also connected with junior receiver Kaedon Saxton three times through the air.

Redington (1-0) hosts Homer (0-1) Friday, Aug. 23.

Colony, Palmer, Houston and Wasilla were all dealt tough losses Friday night.

Defending Division I state champion West Anchorage used a huge second half to beat Colony 33-0 at Colony High School.

After leading by just a touchdown at the break, the Eagles scored 26 points during the final two quarters.

Senior Zephaniah Sailele led West with 162 yards on 14 carries and two touchdowns. Sailele broke free for a 60-yard touchdown on West’s third play from scrimmage to give his team the early lead. He added an 8-yard touchdown in the second half.

Senior quarterback Jethro DeCastro threw for 229 yards and two touchdowns. DeCastro connected with Ariel Sanchez on a 22-yard touchdown pass. He also hit David Sanders on a 49-yard score less than a minute later.

The DeCastro-Sanders touchdown came one play after the West defense snagged one of its four interceptions in the win.

The Eagles defense also found the end zone, with Manny Maga returning a fumble 36 yards for a touchdown.

Brody Silva led Colony with 25 yards rushing. Ridge Spencer had four catches for 28 yards.

Colony (0-1) is at Dimond Friday, Aug. 23 at 7:30 p.m.

Defending Division II state champions Soldotna ran to a 63-27 victory over Palmer at SoHi. Both squads are in the Railbelt Conference, but the opener was nonconference because the teams meet again Sept. 13 in Palmer.

The Moose flashed some talent by moving the ball at times.

With 1:37 left in the first quarter, Reed Craner finished an eight-play scoring drive with a 3-yard touchdown run.

With 2:34 left before the half, Craner caught a 44-yard bomb from quarterback Nolan Garner for a score.

Garner rushed four times for 43 yards and also was 10 of 22 for 73 yards through the air.

“We felt like it was more self-inflicted wounds by us, not playing fundamentally sound, versus Palmer just making plays on us,” head coach Galen Brantley Jr. told the Peninsula Clarion. “And they did make a few plays, without question.

“We’ve got some things to shore up, for sure.”

Palmer also scored twice in the second half as Soldotna started mixing in second-teamers. Aden Hershman caught a 35-yard pass from Corbin Gerkin, and KJ Henry broke off a 36-yard run. The Stars rushed 41 times for 418 yards against the Moose. The Stars are coming off an 11-0 season in which the program won its 13th state title.

Palmer (0-1) travels to Fairbanks to face Lathrop (1-0) Saturday, Aug. 24.

Wasilla suffered a 24-7 loss to Chugiak on Friday. Kade Russell used a quarterback sneak to provide Wasilla’s lone score.

Wasilla (0-1) hosts North Pole (0-1) Friday, Aug. 23.

Division II Eagle River beat Division III Houston 42-14 in Houston.

Quarterback Blake Baskett accounted for both Hawks scores. He connected with Dustin Vandermee on a 49-yard touchdown pass, and rushed for a score. Baskett threw for 105 yards and rushed for 20.

Houston (0-1) hosts Kodiak (0-1) Friday, Aug. 23.

Contact Frontiersman editor Jeremiah Bartz at editor@frontiersman.com. The Peninsula Clarion contributed to this story.