Rivals clash for annual Potato Bowl

The playoff picture for the Northern Railbelt Conference is nearly set.

The Palmer Moose clinched the Northern Railbelt conference title and earned home field advantage for the first round of the playoffs. Now the Moose are set on holding onto the Mayor's Cup Trophy for another year.

The Wasilla Warriors, eliminated from post-season play two weeks ago, are looking to bring the

coveted trophy back to Wasilla.

The Warriors and Moose clash in the 25th annual Potato Bowl tonight, with the winner earning the right to keep their mits on the Mayor's Cup Trophy.

Palmer took possession of the cup last September with a 21-0 victory over Wasilla at Palmer High School. The Warriors had the trophy for a year after a 19-17 win late in the 2001 season.

Palmer currently owns a 17-7 advantage in the Potato Bowl standings. Wasilla holds a 8-16 mark. A one-game discrepancy still remains in the storied series.

In 1984 the Valley rivals played two games. The schools split and each team claims their victory as the official Potato Bowl.

While the Moose and the Warriors were each in the hunt for the conference crown the last time they battled for the Mayor's Cup, the teams have been on the opposite ends of the NRC for most of this season.

The Warriors fell to 0-4 in conference play with a 28-14 loss to West Valley in Fairbanks last week. Wasilla will welcome a chance to play at home as they have made trips to Fairbanks in back-to-back weeks.

Leading the Warriors is the running back tandem of the brothers Wade.

Jed, a senior, rushed for 103 yards and a touchdown in last week's loss.

Jake, a sophomore, ran for 89 yards and also scored.

The Moose scored a thrilling 18-15 victory over North Pole last week at Machetanz Field to clinch the NRC title.

It is Palmer's first conference title since the program left the Northern Lights Conference to join the Northern Railbelt.

The Moose erased an early deficit with 18 fourth-quarter points to escape with the victory.

Palmer also won despite allowing North Pole running back Perry Monzulla to gain 239 yards on the ground.

It was only the second game this season in which Palmer was outgained on the ground.

Colony @ North Pole

The Knights conclude their regular season with a date at North Pole.

Colony will try to rebound from a 34-7 loss to Lathrop last week.

The Malemutes broke open a 7-7 tie with 24 unanswered points to notch the victory.

Houston @ Kodiak

The Hawks conclude their 2003 season at Kodiak on Saturday.

This is the third straight road contest for the Hawks. Houston suffered a 26-6 loss at Nikiski last week and dropped a game at Eielson the week before.

Houston is 2-5 overall, 2-4 in conference play and has been eliminated from the postseason.

Taylor Richey and J.D. Welch, members of the 2002 All-Greatland Conference team, are among members of the Houston senior class who will play their final game in a Hawks uniform.

Playoff picture

Palmer, Lathrop, North Pole and Colony have secured the four Northern Railbelt Conference playoff spots. Palmer and Lathrop will each host first-round games.

With a North Pole win, the Patriots will play at Lathrop next week and Colony will take on the Moose at Machetanz Field.

With a Knight win tonight, Colony will return to Fairbanks to play Lathrop next week and North Pole will face the Moose at Palmer High School.