Warriors move into ASBN prep football poll

WASILLA — The Wasilla Warriors have moved into the Alaska Sports Broadcasting Network Prep Football Poll for the first time this season.

Wasilla, a 50-20 win over rival Colony last week, is ranked fifth on the latest large-schools list, released Monday. The Warriors (4-2 overall, 2-1 in Railbelt Conference play) host North Pole in a nonconference match Friday at 7 p.m. at Veterans Memorial Field. Wasilla was won three straight games, and could finish as high as No. 2 in the Railbelt standings.

Colony’s loss to Wasilla knocked the Knights off the poll after a five-week stay among the top 5. Colony, which dropped to 4-2 overall and 1-2 in conference play with the loss, had been ranked as high as No. 2 in the poll. The Knights have lost two straight, but can clinch a playoff spot with a win over Palmer Friday. Colony hosts Palmer (1-5, 0-2) at 7 p.m. at CHS.

Bartlett (6-0 overall) is No. 1 on the large-schools list for the fourth straight week. The Bears blanked Eagle River 62-0 last week. South (5-1) is No. 2 after a 55-9 win over previously ranked West Anchorage, the defending state champion. Lathrop (5-1) is once again third following a 28-26 win over Palmer. Service returned to the top 5 following its 14-12 win over Dimond. The Cougars are fourth.

Soldotna (5-0) stayed on top of the ASBN medium/small schools list. The Stars have been at No. 1 for the entire season. Eielson (5-0) is ranked second, followed by Ketchikan (5-1), Nikiski (5-1) and North Pole (4-2).