Warriors embrace identity

WASILLA — Will Stout and the Wasilla Warriors are not afraid the embrace the identity of the 2018 edition of the football program.

“We run the ball,” Stout said recently. “Everybody bought into it. Even our quarterback knows we might only throw the ball one or two times a game, but that’s who we are. Everyone has accepted it. That’s our identity. Everyone’s bought in.”

And that’s exactly what Wasilla did during its first game of the 2018 season. The Warriors finished with 209 total yards, all on the ground. The Warriors used the ground game to build a 21-0 lead against Dimond in Anchorage, but the Lynx rallied to score the 35-21 win.

Senior Jordan Quenga rushed for 121 yards and two scores in the loss.

“We expect big things from him,” Stout said.

Quenga battled injuries as a junior. When healthy, Stout said, Quenga has great potential. Stout is also excited about the group blocking for Quenga and the Wasilla running backs.

“This is one of the best offensive lines I’ve ever had,” Stout said.

Junior Jonathon Miller, a 6-foot-5 and 290-pound right tackle, is among the leaders up front. Another is senior right guard Joe Ruge. Left guard Malachi Siavulua is one of two sophomores starting on offense. Quarterback Byson Malave is also a sophomore.

“We feel extremely comfortable with them stepping in immediately and performing at a very high level,” Stout said.

Stout said Malave understands his role in Wasilla’s double-wing offense.

“Definitely a game manager,” Stout said. “He’ll do extremely well managing the game for us and exploit opportunities in the passing game when we give them to him.”

Stout said junior middle linebacker Tristan Wake will lead a young Wasilla defense this year.

“We’re young all the way around,” Stout said.

After graduating 25 seniors last year, Wasilla has only 13 players in its senior class for football this season. Stout said the team is smaller this year, but he’s thrilled the attitude and character of his team.

“It’s an unselfish team. Everyone is doing whatever it takes,” Stout said. “It’s a great feel this year. Everyone has a team-first mentality.”

The Warriors now look forward to their first home game of the seasons. Wasilla hosts Kodiak in a nonconference game Friday at 7 p.m. at Veterans Memorial Field. It is also the team’s Veterans Night. All veterans and military personnel are admitted free, and there will be a presentation at halftime.

** Editor’s note: This is a piece of a five-part series previewing the 2018 season of the Valley’s five prep football programs. For more on Colony, Palmer, Houston and Redington, see frontiersman.com/sports. Contact Frontiersman editor Jeremiah Bartz at sports@frontiersman.com.