Warriors fall to Lathrop in Fairbanks

FAIRBANKS — The Lathrop Malemutes learned their lesson from a week ago.

A week after falling behind by three scores in the first half of their football game at Palmer, it was the Malemutes who struck quickly on a chilly Saturday night against Wasilla at Lathrop High School.

RJ Henry returned the opening kickoff 89-yards down the left sideline for a touchdown and the Malemutes downed the Warriors 28-14 in the Railbelt Conference opener for both team.

"My team setup good blocks," Henry said of his return. "I just followed the lead and made a good run."

Henry had 137 return yards on Saturday and also ran the ball four times for nine yards.

"This game was important for us. It brings up moral from our last loss," Henry said. "We're on our way to a winning rest of the season."

Scott McKinstry scored the first of his three touchdowns on the ground midway through the first quarter to put the Malemute up 14-0.

"Our offense, we were looking terrible last week because we had a lot of key players missing," McKinstry said. "I'm just real glad we turned it up this week."

McKinstry, a senior running back, said the biggest difference from last week's loss to Palmer was the offensive line.

"They got it together," McKinstry said.

The Malemutes offensive line allowed McKinstry to run for 73 yards on 10 carries and three touchdowns. Along with his first quarter score, McKinstry added a three-yard dive just before halftime to put the Malemutes up 21-7.

"We have a great offensive line and the holes were opening real wide. I was taking advantage of the holes," McKinstry said. "That was our whole game plan tonight."

McKinstry added his final score of the night on a 39-yard run early in the third quarter.

The Malemutes finished with 134 rushing yards as a team and 230 yards of offense.

Quarterback Glenn Maiden with 11 of 20 passing for 96 yards for the Malemutes, who continue conference play against Colony next week.

"We just have to stay humble and keep working hard everyday," McKinstry.

Warriors quarterback Aeron Millron got Wasilla on the board early in the second quarter. Millron scored on a quarterback keeper from 13 yard out.

Millron would leave the game early in the second half and not return. He finished 7 of 14 passing for 60 yards with an interception and added 20 yards on nine carries.

Carson Reed, who took over from Millron, produced the Warriors final score. Reed, who also served as the Warriors kicker, connected with Beau Cork for a 9-yard touchdown pass.

Reed finished 6 of 15 passing for 43 yards for the Warriors, who had 137 yards of offense.

Nick Alexander carried the ball 19 times for Warriors, gaining 12 yards.

The Malemutes committed 18 penalties for 177 yards, including 50 yards worth of penalties on one drive for the Warriors in the third quarter. The Warriors committed three penalties for 20 yards.

Contact sports reporter Tim O'Donnell at 459-7583. Follow him on Twitter: @FDNMSportsGuy

MALEMUTES 28, WARRIORS 14

First Quarter

L—Henry 89 kick return (Salcido kick) 11:46.

L—McKinstry 4 run (Salcido kick) 5;16.

Second Quarter

W—Millron 13 run (Reed kick) 9:53.

L—McKinstry 3 run (Salcido kick) :25.

Third Quarter

L—McKinstry 39 run (Salcido Kick) 8:13.

W—Cork 9 pass from Reed (Reed kick) 4:54.

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

RUSHING—Wasilla: Millron 9-20, Alexander 19-12, Reed 4-2, Sodorff 1-0, Uti 1-0. Lathrop: McKinstry 10-73, Gl. Maiden 7-38, Henry 4-9, Acosta 1-8, Ga. Maiden 2-7, Kent 1-(-1).

PASSING—Wasilla: Millron 7-14-1-60, Reed 6-15-0-43. Lathrop: Gl. Maiden 11-20-0-96.

RECEIVING—Wasilla:Walkemeyer 5-32, Detherow 4-18, Sodorff 2-32, Ward 2-13, Cork 1-9. Lathrop: Salcido 2-29, Ga. Maiden 2-17, Ka. Martin 2-15, Henry 2-4, Ko. Martin 1-20, Chapman 1-6.