Veteran linemen lead Moose into new season

PALMER — Last year, the Palmer Moose amassed 2,827 yards on the ground. Eight players combined for that total. But not one of those athletes will be back in a Palmer uniform this season.

The Moose graduated seven seniors who carried the ball for Palmer’s run-heavy attack. The eighth player, Nathaniel Aumavae (242 yards, two touchdowns) moved out of state with family.

Palmer will have an entirely new cast of talent in the backfield. But the good news is, the new Moose ballcarriers will have three of Alaska’s top linemen blocking for them.

Senior all-state center Adam Christiansen, senior all-state tackle Nick Benshetler and senior guard Ben Button, a second-team all-conference selection and defending state wrestling champion, return to lead the Moose into the new campaign.

“They’re providing a lot of leadership,” longtime Palmer head coach Rod Christiansen said of the trio. “All three are hard-working, good at helping others along.”

Christiansen each senior is back, bigger, faster and stronger. Adam Christiansen played basketball and baseball during the offseason. Button won his first state title on the wrestling mat. Benshetler was mainstay in the weight room, dedicated to his offseason workouts.

Adam Christiansen, Button and Benshetler are currently penciled into the positions they held as juniors (center, guard and tackle respectively), but Rod Christiansen said each of them knows enough to play all along the line. Christiansen also said the Moose have a variety of linemen ready to step up and fills the holes left by graduated starters Caleb Deemer and Brian Thompson.

That group includes senior Graydon Powell, who could play just about any position on the line, Christiansen said. The group also includes A.J. Collander, Patton Garrettson and Garrett Williams.

“It’s a good group,” Christiansen said of the Palmer offensive linemen. “I think it’s the deepest offensive line we’ve had for a long time.”

The experienced offensive line will pave the way for a new set of backs replacing graduated running backs James Nisbett (826 yards rushing, eight touchdowns) and Vincent Aumavae (835 yards rushing, eight touchdowns) and quarterback Zeth Merritt (368 yards rushing, eight rushing touchdowns, 474 yards passing, five passing touchdowns).

Junior Justin Roth has been taking the bulk of the snaps during practice, and is expected to start at quarterback.

“He’s smart, a good athlete, good leader,” Christiansen said of Roth, a junior varsity quarterback last season. “He’s moving up in the system.”

Christiansen said Chase Ferris, Jared Layton and Nick Daniels are expected to carry the ball for the Moose. Wyatt McGann and Austin Ferris have been working out at fullback. Christiansen also noted Wayne Hershman.

Darion Angol should lead the team at the receiver positions, and Tom Leigh, a newcomer to the program, is expected to start at tight end.

Christiansen said Shoya Watanabe and Koheil Watanabe will contribute at the receiver and defensive back positions.

On defense, Christiansen said the Moose have the most experience in the front seven.

Button and Benshetler will lead the defensive line, and Adam Christiansen returns to help lead the defensive at linebacker. Chase Ferris is also a returning starter on defense.

Palmer, 7-3 overall and 3-1 in the Railbelt Conference last year, opens its 2014 season Friday against defending large schools state champion West Anchorage in Anchorage.

The game is also a rematch of 2013 state semifinal game won by West 26-23 in overtime.

** Editor’s note: This is the third piece of a four-part series previewing the seasons of the Valley prep football teams. For stories featuring the Houston Hawks and Wasilla Warriors, see frontiersman.com/sports. For a piece featuring the Colony Knights, see the Friday edition of the Frontiersman.