Warriors blank Eagle River, earn 1st home win since 2014

WASILLA — The Soldotna Stars have the most talked about prep football streak in Alaska history. A state record 51 straight wins, the third-longest current winning streak in the nation.

The Wasilla Warriors had a streak of their own. But one they’ve been eager to erase.

And after nine straight losses at Wasilla High, the Warriors finally had a chance to celebrate victory at Veteran’s Memorial Field. Wasilla used a 30-0 win over Eagle River to grab its first home win since Sept. 26, 2014.

“It’s been a long time since they had a win here, 1,057 days,” Warriors head coach Will Stout said after the win. “There was a lot of pressure on us for a while, hey we’ve got to get a win at home.”

Wasilla senior quarterback Aeron Milliron was a freshman the last time the Warriors won at home, a 49-21 victory over North Pole during the seventh week of the 2014 season.

“It’s amazing, an amazing feeling,” Milliron said after celebrating with teammates on the Wasilla High turf.

Milliron said the Warriors have tried not to focus too much on what has, or has not, happened in recent years.

“We worry about the present, what we’re going to work on in practice and the next game,” Milliron said.

But it’s nice to snap the streak, he said. And Milliron used a big play early to help the Warriors jump to an early lead.

On the second offensive snap of the game, Milliron dropped back to pass, rolled out of the pocket, and broke away for a 76-yard touchdown run.

Less than a minute later, on Eagle River’s second offensive play from scrimmage, Warriors senior Sean McDermott scooped up a fumble and returned it 37 yards for the score.

“It was a huge momentum-push for us,” Milliron said.

Stout said it was good to see his team grab the early 15-0 lead less than two minutes into the ballgame.

“It was incredible to jump out that quickly. We got the momentum going, and the guys fed off that,” Stout said.

Milliron scored twice in the win. Jordan Quenga added a 53-yard touchdown and led the Warriors with 112 yards on the ground on a dozen carries. McDermott added 77 yards rushing for the Warriors.

Stout said he was happy with the success Wasilla had on offense, but said there is room for improvement.

“A lot of penalties again this week we’ve really got to clean up,” Stout said. “We put up some points, but we left some points.”

Stout was also happy to see his defense pitch the shutout.

“It’s great for us, something all the kids worked hard for,” Stout said.

The win marked Wasilla’s first shutout since the Warriors beat Lathrop 55-0 Aug. 27, 2010.

Wasilla improved to 1-1 with the victory. Eagle River dropped to 1-1. The Warriors host North Pole Friday at 7 p.m. at Veterans Memorial Field.

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

Wasilla 30, Eagle River 0

Friday, Wasilla High School

First quarter:

Wasilla — Milliron 76 run (McDermott run) 11:04.

Wasilla — McDermott 37 fumble return (Millhouse kick) 10:16.

Second quarter:

Wasilla — Quenga 53 run (Millhouse kick) 9:20.

Third quarter:

Wasilla — Milliron 4 run (Milliron run) 4:52.

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

RUSHING — Eagle River: Burningham 14-44, Williams 13-101, Adkins 10- (-3), Caywood 6-20; Wasilla: McDermott 13-77, Quenga 12-112, Milliron 10-53, Helton 1-7, Matthews 1-4, Wheeler 1-1, Trask 1-1, Malave 1-(-1).

PASSING — Eagle River: Adkins 0-9-0—0; Wasilla: Milliron 1-2-1—5.

RECEIVING — Eagle River: none; Wasilla: Helton 1-5.