Warriors, Hawks suffer losses in Fairbanks

FAIRBANKS — Wasilla’s Devin Otto scored four touchdowns, but that couldn’t keep Lathrop from hitting a mark it had not achieved in more than a decade.

The Malemutes overcame Otto’s effort, scoring a 42-32 win over the Warriors in Fairbanks Friday night to improve to 4-0 overall and notch their first four-win season since 2003.

Chris Seminario rushed for a pair of touchdowns to help Lathrop move to the top of the conference with a 2-0 record. Wasilla (2-2) is now 1-1 in conference play. According to the Fairbanks Daily News-Miner, the Malemutes rushed for 359 yards and four touchdowns.

Cash McGregor also scored for the Warriors, snagging a 4-yard Josiah Williams touchdown pass.

Lathrop is on the verge of clinching a playoff spot thanks to the win. While the Malemutes have not officially clinched, Lathrop could earn its first playoff berth since 2004 with a win over Colony or Palmer during the next two weeks.

Wasilla will see Railbelt rivals West Valley and Palmer during the second half of the season. The Warriors host West Valley Friday at 7 p.m. at Veterans Memorial Field.

In other action in the Interior, West Valley notched a 41-12 nonconference win over Houston. Hawks quarterback Nai Saechao connected with River Ross on a 3-yard score. Waylon Soptick, who entered the game as the state’s No. 2 rusher with nearly 700 yards, added a late score for the Hawks.

Complete statistics for the Wasilla and Houston games were not available prior to press time.