T-Birds use big second half to get past Palmer

PALMER — Lining up against a senior-laden team that won the Cook Inlet Conference last season, Palmer head coach Rod Christiansen didn’t feel about his team’s touchdown deficit at halftime.

But as even as the first two quarters were, the East Anchorage Thunderbirds took control of things in the second half.

East scored 26 points in the final two quarters, and posted a 33-0 nonconference victory over the Moose Friday at Palmer High School’s Machetanz Field.

“At halftime I was very happy with our team as a whole, and our defense,” Christiansen said after the loss. “And I think we kind of hit the wall as far as being able to play a whole game.”

Four different players scored for the T-Birds to help East open the season with a win. Fifteen different players had at least one offensive touch for East.

“I think we got swallowed up by numbers,” Christiansen said. “We got tired and they’ve got more.”

Christiansen specifically noted the 28 seniors on the East roster.

“They’re a good football and they’ll do good in the Cook (Inlet Conference),” Christiansen said.

Christiansen, who entered his 26th year as head coach of the Moose, said there is plenty to be learned from the loss, but believes in the ability of his 2016 squad.

“I think we’ll be right there too,” Christiansen said. “I think we have a lot of potential.”

Josh Malnoske’s 7-yard run for the T-Birds stood as the lone score of the first half.

“(It was) 7-0 at the half. It could have easily been in our favor,” Christiansen said.

The Moose put together two long possessions in the first half, an 11-play drive to open the game in the first quarter and a 13-play drive in the second, but were unable to capitalize either time.

Nick DeBach, a varsity basketball player who has added football to his Palmer sports resume, led the Moose with 83 yards rushing in his Moose football debut.

“Nick DeBach on both sides of the ball really showed he’s come to play,” Christiansen said.

Larry Cutsforth added 36 yards on the group. Quarterback Clayton Southwick completed 5 of his 7 passes, connecting with five different receivers.

Johnny Afuvai led East with 59 yards on only seven carries, including a key 2-yard touchdown run that help East gain more momentum early in the third. Dak Paulsen and Brian Williams added fourth-quarter touchdown runs for the T-Birds.

Palmer continues nonconference play Friday at Bartlett.

Contact Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman sports editor Jeremiah Bartz at sports@frontiersman.com.

East Anchorage 33, Palmer 0

Friday, Machetanz Field

First quarter:

No scoring.

Second quarter:

East — Malnoske 7 run (Reed kick) 1:53.

Third quarter:

East — Afuvai 2 run (Afuvai run) 9:16.

East — Reed 20 field goal 2:58

Fourth quarter:

East — Paulsen 3 run (Logoleo run) 8:05.

East — Williams 4 run (Reed kick) 2:36.

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

RUSHING — East: Afuvai 7-59, Malnoske 6-37, Washburn 6- (-9), Ala 2-29, Guerro 2-22, C. Collins 2-15, Logoleo 1-28, Eppenger 1-12, Hauge 1-7, D. Collins 1-6, Williams 1-4, Paulsen 1-3, Williams 1-0; Palmer: Cutsforth 15-36, DeBach 14-83, Southwick 12-(-11), Witz 1-11, L. Farris 1-2, A. Farris 1-(-9).

PASSING — East: Washburn 6-8-0—74; Palmer: Southwick 5-7-0—42.

RECIVING — East: Logoleo 2-20, Hague 1-32, Herman 1-8, Jenn-Lundfelt 1-7, Williams 1-7; Palmer: L. Farris 1-14, Witz 1-14, Cutsforth 1-7, Reeves 1-3, DeBach 1-0