Teams begin push toward playoffs

With a defense that has been impenetrable for most of the season and an offense with a tendency to make the big play, the Colony Knights have made a lot of noise during the 2004 season.

Though Wasilla may not have the flash, the Warriors have taken the slow and steady route right to the middle of the playoff hunt.

Both virtual post-season locks, Colony and Wasilla -- both eager to gain ground in the Railbelt Conference standings -- meet tonight at Wasilla High School's Veterans Memorial Field. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.

Wasilla hosts Colony, ranked second in the state, according to the latest Anchorage Daily News Coaches Poll, and a team which have outscored opponents an astonishing 211-20. Though Colony, with the high powered offense and stellar defense, could be the toughest opponent Wasilla will face, the Warriors are no stranger to the tough opponent. Wasilla suffered a 57-14 loss to another of the state's powers, North Pole, earlier this season. Wasilla head coach Joe Gardner said lessons were learned in the loss, and things can be taken from playing one of the state's top teams.

"You can always apply our experience -- take something from every game," Gardner said.

Gardner said, as the team builds with each week, Wasilla will take the most from its 28-21 win over Lathrop last week.

Jake Wade led the Warriors effort to establish the running game, with 138 yards rushing and three touchdowns. The Wasilla defense also forced three turnovers in the win.

Colony used the big play to beat Palmer. Quarterback Rhett Magner enjoyed a career day, throwing for five touchdown scores. Justin Schwartzbauer caught three touchdown passes and Austin Manelick and Billy Collins each recorded their first touchdown grabs of the season.

Shawn Olivera paced the Knight running attack with 121 yards on the ground, his first 100-yard game of the season, and a touchdown.

South Anchorage @ Palmer

With a week break from its Railbelt Conference schedule, Palmer will host South Anchorage at Machetanz Field tonight at 7 p.m.

The Moose are 1-5 overall this season, following the 42-14 loss to Colony. Palmer, which shows improvement each week, displayed the ability to move the ball against even the state's toughest defense. The Moose eclipsed 200 yards rushing for the third time this season and added 135 yards through the air.

Steel Tubbs ran for 88 yards and scored twice against the Knights -- a feat that no other team had accomplished this season. Devon Conroy continued to established himself as one of the more versatile weapons in the conference, posting eight rushes for 58 yards and eight catches for 63 yards.

South is also 1-5 this season, fresh off a 50-0 loss to East Anchorage. The Wolverines, in their first season of competition, have been pummeled by the likes of East, West and Colony, but did earn a win earlier this season over Service.

South has shown its love for the passing game early. Mark Haller is fourth in the state with 14 catches.

Nikiski @ Houston

Despite outgaining Seward on the ground 229-112, the Houston Hawks took a serious hit to their playoff hopes with a 20-13 loss to the Seahawks last week.

Houston, 2-2 in conference play, now looks for a win over Nikiski, 3-1 in the Great Land Conference, and some help. The Hawks host the Bulldogs Saturday at 1 p.m.

Eielson (4-0) and Seward (4-1) are currently in the best position to capture the Great Land Conference's two playoff spots.

Karl Thistle led the Hawks with 136 yards and a touchdown, but Houston could not overcome a pair of Cody Beck touchdown passes and a long Jake Wilder scoring run in the loss.

Nikiski suffered a 42-20 nonconference loss to small-school power Soldotna last week.