Service sneaks past Wasilla

ANCHORAGE — The Service Cougars have been an Alaska postseason staple in recent years, winning state championships in 2008 and 2011. Service is the 2013 runner-up, and have played in four consecutive large-schools title games.

As soon as head coach Kent Rilatos and the Warriors saw that Service would be their first opponent in 2014, they knew they’d have a tough test to start the season.

But the Warriors gave Service all it could handle.

Service needed a late score to secure a 14-6 nonconference win over the Warriors Saturday evening at Service High School in Anchorage.

New starting quarterback Zyrelle Jones, who transferred from Bartlett during the offseason, threw a pair of touchdown passes in his Service debut. The second, a short touchdown toss to Emetrius McLeod with 2:41 left in regulation, extended his team’s lead.

Service took an early lead when Jones connected with Trevon Allen on an 8-yard touchdown pass. With Service leading 7-0, Wasilla jumped on the scoreboard midway through the second quarter. Zack Garnett scored on a 6-yard touchdown run to cut the Service lead to 7-6. Wasilla missed the point-after attempt.

Devin Otto rushed for a game-high 88 yards on 26 carries in the loss. Garnett added 28 yards. Dylan Simons threw for 48 yards.

Wasilla finished with 11 first downs, compared to Service’s 14. The Warriors also had 118 yards on the ground.

Service 14, Wasilla 6

Saturday, Service High School

First Quarter

Service — Allen 7 pass from Jones (Beelman kick), 5:13

Second Quarter

Wasilla — Garnett 6 run (kick blocked), 9:08

Fourth Quarter

Service — McLeod 3 pass from Jones (Beelman kick), 2:41.

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

RUSHING — Wasilla: Otto 26-88, Garnett 8-28, Renk 2-9, Simons 5-2, Wolfe 1-(-9). Home: Hogan 13-67, Jones 8-20, Norman 7-46, Black 5-61, Park 1-(-5).

PASSING — Wasilla: Simons 6-16-1 — 48. Service: Jones 12-22-1 — 101.

RECEIVING — Wasilla: Garnett 3-30, Morrison 1-7, Wolfe 1-11, Otto 1-0. Service: Allen 4-49, Hogan 1-45, Wallender 4-4, McLeod 4-3.