Sophomores lead Moose to win over Warriors in the Potato Bowl

WASILLA —Jayden Hartman will never forget his first career start in a varsity football game.

The Palmer sophomore cornerback intercepted a pair of Wasilla passes, including one during the final three minutes of the game, to help the Moose hold on for a 14-7 victory over the rival Warriors during the 45th annual Potato Bowl Friday night at Veterans Memorial Field in Wasilla.

“He’s been playing really well the last few weeks. The coaches wanted to give him a chance,” Palmer head coach Tim Popowski said moments after the Moose celebrated with the coveted Mayor’s Cup, the traveling trophy awarded to the winner of the annual Potato Bowl.

With 2:51 left in regulation, Hartman, playing on the left side of the field, stepped in front of a Warriors receiver and made the interception near midfield as Wasilla was trying to put together a drive to tie the game.

“It goes to show our kids work hard all week. We’re developing all week. And that kid took it and he owned it,” Popowski said of Hartman. “He accepted the challenge all week. We’re kind of thin at corner and he stepped up.”

Hartman also picked off a pass early in the second quarter.

Hartman’s efforts were part of a super night for Palmer’s sophomore class. Sophomore Corbin Gerkin also intercepted a Wasilla pass, and rushed for the go-ahead score, a 15-yard touchdown run in the fourth. Sophomore quarterback Nolan Garner connected with sophomore Tobias Bailey on a 4-yard touchdown pass in the first half.

“It’s super exciting. We had a lot of sophomores making plays tonight,” Popowski said.

KJ Henry led Palmer with 81 yards on 19 carriers. Gerkin added 36 yards and the score. Garner also completed 7 of 9 passes for 68 yards, and the touchdown to Bailey.

“Just trying to run the football, and a little play-action,” Popowski said.

Sophomore Reed Craner led the Moose with three catches for 57 yards.

Wasilla used a long scoring drive to tie the game a 7 midway through the fourth. Warriors running back Ayden Stickle capped a 10-play, 77-yard drive with a 5-yard touchdown with 6:33 left in the game to tie the score.

After a Wasilla onside kick attempt, Palmer answered with a 5-play, 54-yard drive and the 15-yard Gerkin touchdown that gave the Moose the 14-0 lead.

“The momentum swings in this game were huge,” Popowski said.

On Wasilla’s next drive, the Warriors used a Palmer personal foul and a Stickle 25-yard run to march 30 yards down the field. But Hartman grabbed his second pick on the next play.

With about 90 seconds left, Wasilla defensive lineman Liam Brown gave the Warriors another chance. With Palmer facing 3rd-and-1 at the 43, Brown ripped the ball out of the hands of the Palmer ball carrier. Brown made his way downfield, but the play was whistled dead at the 42. The Warriors had another shot on offense, but Palmer forced three incompletions and was able to hold on.

“That’s a classic Potato Bowl game. It came right down to the end,” Popowski saId.

Stickle led Wasilla with 46 yards and a touchdown in the loss. The Warriors lost one of their top talents, senior Isaiah Smith, to injury in the second half. Smith, a quarterback and defensive back, ran for 39, threw for 74 and intercepted a pass on defense.

With the Moose win, the traveling Mayor’s Cup returns to Palmer High School. Palmer is now 33-12 in a 45-year storied tradition that dates back to 1979.

Both teams now look ahead to the ASAA Division II playoffs.

Palmer is the No. 6 seed in the eight-team DII bracket, and will face third-seeded Eagle River Saturday at Eagle River. Wasilla is the seventh seed and will meet second-seeded Lathrop Saturday at 2 p.m. in Fairbanks.

Contact Frontiersman managing editor Jeremiah Bartz at editor@frontiersman.com.