Turnaround nets Knights top seed

PALMER — Facing probably the most difficult nonconference schedule in the state, the Colony Knights limped to an 0-4 start and were just 1-5 heading into the final weeks of the season. But Colony has set out to prove that it’s not how you start, it’s how you finish.

“We’re happy to be in the position we’re in,” head coach Brian McIntosh said of his Colony squad, which rebounded to win its final two games and clinch the Railbelt Conference title. “We’ve grown as a team, from what happened early in the season, and the kids appreciate what they’ve got now.”

Colony scored big road wins over Palmer and West Valley during the final two weeks of the regular season to leap to the top of the conference and win its first Railbelt title since 2010. It’s also Colony’s first playoff appearance since 2010. Tonight’s quarterfinal game against Dimond will mark the first playoff action for anyone currently on the Colony roster.

“It’s really exciting for them. It’s the first time they’ve ever been in the playoffs,” McIntosh said.

Colony (3-5, 3-1) draws a Dimond squad that finished fifth in the Cook Inlet Conference with a 3-4 record and 3-3 mark in CIC play.

Like Colony, Dimond also endured a rough start to the 2013 season, dropping early season games to Lathrop and Eagle River. The Lynx are on a three-game slide, but those losses have come to three playoff teams (West, South and Service).

McIntosh said Dimond certainly has the talent to make some noise.

“They have some great athletes,” McIntosh said. “They have a pretty good linebacker and running back, and have some big defensive linemen. They have very fast skill guys on offense.”

Dimond’s Jeremiah Maga is one of the top quarterbacks in the CIC with 1,074 yards and 10 touchdown passes. Receiver Marquez Butler leads the Lynx with 32 catches for 487 yards and seven touchdowns.

Dimond’s skill position players boast similar numbers to those on the Knights. Colony senior Bryce Niver is second in the state with 1,224 yards and 15 touchdowns. Senior Daniel Bilafer leads large-schools receivers with 45 catches. He also has 513 yards receiving and seven touchdowns.

Colony is still a threat through the air, but has shifted gears offensively during the second half of the season.

“We’re ground and pound lately, and our defense is stingy right now,” McIntosh said.

The Knights entered the Palmer contest in Week 7 committed to the running game. In the last two weeks, Niver and running back Logan Conway have combined for 534 yards rushing and five touchdowns. Conway had 102 yards during the 31-20 win over Palmer and 159 yards in the 41-12 victory at West Valley last week. Niver rushed for 182 yards against the Moose and 91 against the Wolfpack.

Tonight’s game, which kicks off at 7, is also a rematch of a 2010 quarterfinal match, won by Colony 27-14.

Tonight’s winner will face the winner of Saturday’s Chugiak-Service quarterfinal next weekend.