Warriors spoil Colony homecoming

The Wasilla Warriors scratched out another cross-Valley win Friday, defeating Colony 13-7 at Colony's homecoming game.

Wasilla capitalized on big plays and mistakes that made the difference in the game.

A long fourth-down pass to set up a touchdown, a fumble recovery to set up another touchdown, and an interception in the end zone were just enough to get Wasilla the win.

Colony's defense looked strong once again, shutting down Wasilla's potent passing game and forcing it to run.

Colony's offense looked much improved than in past weeks. Doug Lampton and David Craig rushed the ball effectively, benefiting from the return of running back Auggie Manelick, who missed much of the season due to a hand injury.

Manelick wore a cast on his hand, which kept him from carrying the ball, but didn't hurt his capability as a lead blocker.

Wasilla's offense had too many weapons for Colony to stop. Although Wasilla struggled with the passing game, it could not be completely stopped. The Warriors were able to turn to the running game to move the ball.

Both defenses tired late in the game from the continual push at the line of scrimmage.

The first quarter was dominated by defense and penalties, with neither team having an opportunity to score.

Early in the second quarter Wasilla mounted a drive into Colony territory behind the rushing of Travis Dutcher and Lafe Martyn.

Faced with fourth and 11 on Colony's 39-yard line, Wasilla quarterback Jake Carney unleashed a 26-yard bomb down the right side that receiver Alan Boitz hauled in for a first down on the 6-yard line.

Boitz made a great catch with a Colony defender right on top of the play.

Carney punched the ball into the end zone two plays later to give Wasilla the first points of the game. The extra point made the score 7-0 Wasilla with 6:44 remaining in the first half.

Colony responded with a good drive by effectively mixing passing and running plays, but the drive stalled at Wasilla's 22-yard line.

The first half ended with Wasilla leading 7-0.

Colony opened the second half by turning the ball over with fumbles on its first two possessions.

Colony was able to hold the Warriors following the first turnover, forcing them to punt in Colony

territory.

The second fumble occurred on Colony's first play from its own 6-yard line.

A botched hand-off between quarterback Kyle Van-Sant and running back Alan Morlan squirted loose and Wasilla recovered it one foot short of the end zone.

On the very next play, Carney followed the center straight into the end zone to give Wasilla its second touchdown.

The extra point was no good. Wasilla led 13-0 with 9:37 left in the third quarter.

Colony then began a lengthy drive powered by Lampton's crushing runs and a critical 15-yard penalty by Wasilla on a fourth- down play.

Lampton bulled the Knights down to Wasilla's 4-yard line, but suffered a knee injury on the play and did not return to the game.

With Lampton out, Colony attempted a quick pass to the end zone but Wasilla's Mike Elder intercepted the ball and returned it 55 yards to stop a Colony score and give Wasilla the ball on Colony's 45-yard line.

"Reza went out on a fade route, I saw it and picked it," said Elder. "After I caught it, all I saw was the end zone ahead of me."

Carney started the drive with a swing pass to Abe Salmon but an alert DeBuck stripped the ball out of Salmon's hands while Colony's Preston Pickett was making the tackle.

It set up Colony for a drive starting on the 50-yard line with just over four minutes remaining in the third quarter.

Colony's David Craig replaced Lampton as the featured running back and promptly carried the Knights on a drive that lasted over 5 minutes.

Craig culminated the drive with a one-yard surge into the end zone.

The extra point was good, giving Colony its first score. Wasilla led 13-7 with 10:31 left in the game.

After an exchange of possessions, Wasilla consumed the remaining time with runs by Salmon and a critical scramble by Carney to pick up a first down on third and 10.

Wasilla took the 13-7 victory.

The Warriors complete their regular season by hosting the Chugiak Mustangs Saturday at 3 p.m. for Wasilla's homecoming game.

Colony finishes its regular season with a visit to Palmer Friday at 7 p.m.