Warriors beat Moose for the second time this season

PALMER — The Wasilla football program made school history Friday night, scoring its second win over longtime rival Palmer in a single season for the first time.

“Good things come to those who wait,” Wasilla head coach Ken Ottinger said after the Warriors’ 46-14 victory over the Moose at Machetanz Field. “These kids have changed so much in the last couple of years. They’ve bought into growing up, acting like men. I wouldn’t go to war with any other group.”

The Warriors improved to 4-2 at the varsity level with the win, but appear to be left off the playoff radar. The Alaska Schools Activities Association recently released a playoff format for a prep football season greatly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. ASAA’s plan includes a three-week postseason for the Division I class and an eight-team bracket. ASAA awarded state berths by school district rather than division. Anchorage School District, which includes seven teams, was awarded six berths. The Mat-Su received one. Juneau also received an automatic berth, despite that fact that Juneau has not played a single snap this year.

Colony was awarded the Valley berth, thanks to a 44-7 win over the Warriors during their first meeting of the season. The Knights also edged Wasilla 10-7 with a field goal on the final play last week.

That leaves Wasilla out of the postseason with the current plan.

“There’s no reason we should not be in the playoffs,” Ottinger said. “I don’t care. Give us the No. 1 team. Give us a play-in game against anybody. At least give it a shot. They deserve a shot.”

If Wasilla’s season did end Friday, the Warriors enjoyed one of their biggest wins against Palmer in a rivalry that dates back to 1979. Friday marked only the third time Wasilla scored 40 or more points against the Moose. Wasilla beat Palmer 42-15 in 1998 and 47-14 in 2014.

Colton Lindquist rumbled for 170 yards on 17 carries, and scored three times on the ground. The senior standout rushed for touchdowns on 8 and 5 yard carries in the first half, and broke free for a 69-yard scoring run on Wasilla’s second play from scrimmage in the second half. As a unit, the Warriors rushed for 312 yards in the game. Timothy Grisso also scored, streaking down the left sideline for a 31-yard touchdown in the first half.

Ottinger praised his team’s offensive line.

“The line is unbelievable,” Ottinger said. “The kids are blocking, doing their unselfish jobs. It’s all you can ask for as a coach.”

Lindquist averaged 10 yards per carry, and the Warriors averaged 8.7 yards per run as a team.

The Warriors also slowed down the Palmer running game. Wasilla held the Moose to 94 yards on 34 carries, less than three yards per try.

“Our defense is something else,” Ottinger said.

The Warriors also overcame the loss of starting quarterback Gavin Harrington to injury on Wasilla’s seventh offensive play of the game. Byson Malave, who has started for the Warriors behind center in the past, stepped in and threw for 44 yards and a touchdown, and rushed for 40 yards.

“Having two quarterbacks like that is a dream for a coach,” Ottinger said. “To have Gavin on the sidelines, not being in self pity and being a leader for his team was a beautiful sight to see.”

Donovan Pritchett led Palmer with 46 yards rushing and a touchdown. Jackson Heard also recovered a loose ball in the end zone for another Palmer score. Moose kicker Catherine Uschmann finished 2 for 2 on point-after attempts.

Palmer will advance to the Division II playoffs and is slated to play either West Valley or Lathrop on Oct. 17.

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

Wasilla 46, Palmer 14

Friday, Machetanz Field

First quarter:

Wasilla — Lindquist 8 run (kick failed) 9:25

Wasilla — Grisso 22 run (Ates run) 2:09

Second quarter:

Wasilla — Lindquist 5 run (Lindquist run) 4:16

Palmer — Heard fumble recovery in end zone (Uschmann kick) 1:15

Third quarter:

Wasilla — Lindquist 69 run (Malave run) 9:01

Wasilla — Grisso 18 pass from Malave (Byron run) 2:12

Fourth quarter:

Wasilla — Byron 2 run (Byron run) 7:49

Palmer — Pritchett 1 run (Uschmann kick) 6:34

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

RUSHING — Wasilla: Lindquist 17-170, Malave 5-40, Ates 4-30, Grisso 3-49, Byron 2-6, Harrington 2-2, White 1-3; Palmer: Pritchett 12-46, Smith 11-21, Perkins 10-21, Heal 1-6.

PASSING — Wasilla: Malave 3-8-0-44; Palmer: Heal 3-8-0--19

RECEIVING — Wasilla: Ates 2-26, Grisso 1-18; Palmer: Barnes 1-15, Horman 1-7, Hronkin 1-(-3)