Wasilla answers questions in loss

Frontiersman

WASILLA - After struggling through a disappointing 2005 campaign, the Wasilla High football team nearly had a repeat performance, falling behind the visiting Kodiak Bears 20-0 in the first half.

But they left nothing to chance in a brave performance in the second half, coming just a few inches from clawing their way to victory.

In doing so the Warriors answered several questions in the season opener at Veterans Memorial Stadium Saturday, losing to the visiting Bears, 33-27, before a full house crowd.

Do the Warriors have heart? Yes.

After accumulating a mere 54 yard of total offense in the first half, while allowing the Bears 299, Wasilla was a different team in the second half.

&#8220We came out flat in the first half,” running back and team captain Danny Lyles said. &#8220We weren't playing Warrior football.”

First year coach Jim Shetter agreed with Lyle's evaluation.

&#8220We've been telling the players during the first two weeks of practice that they have to be students of the game to be successful,” Shetter said. &#8220We forgot to tell them about the emotions of the game. We were flat and needed something to spark the emotion.”

Lyles provided that spark when he nearly broke free from the arm of Kodiak's Mike Odell while returning the opening kickoff of the second half. Despite being pulled down at the Kodiak 16 yard line, Lyles 64-yard return was the spark Shetter was looking for.

&#8220That lifted the team,” Shetter said. &#8220It really swung the momentum for us.”

Do the the Warriors have quality special teams? Yes.

Lyles return set up a 36 yard field goal from senior Vladimir Dahl, his second of the game. He booted a 42-yarder near the end of the first half.

Inspired by Lyles run and Dahl's kick the Warrior defense stepped up its game and not only stopped the Kodiak attack, which was driven by the strong running of Odell and the arm of quarterback Stuart McFarland, to force a fumble that safety Jack Troshynski scooped up.

That set up a 46-yard scoring drive which Lyles capped off with a two-yard scoring run, closing the score to 20-13.

Will the Warriors ever quit? No.

After Odell ran for a 35-yard touchdown for Kodiak near the end of the third quarter, and McFarland hooked u with wide receiver Curtis Catt for a 28-yard touchdown late in the fourth, the Warriors kept coming.

Trailing 33-13, Jeff Champion wove through a pack of Bears and then raced to the end zone on the ensuing kickoff for a 75-yard touchdown.

Then with 25 second left in the game, Lyles broke into the open, beyond the Kodiak defense, as he chased down a desperate pass from quarterback Hunter Shultz. Lyles stretched his arms to their max but could only manage to get his finger tips what would have been a game winning catch.

&#8220I was running as hard as I could to catch up with the ball,” Lyles explained, before taking a long pause. &#8220I just couldn't get to it.”

Despite the loss Shetter liked what he saw from his team in the second half.

&#8220I thought the team played great in the second half” he said. &#8220I'm encouraged by what I saw out there tonight. I'm really proud of how the team kept fighting right up to the very last play.”

Lyles too was encouraged by the effort put forth in the second half.

&#8220No we know how we need to play when the games starts,” Lyles said. &#8220We can't wait for the second half to start playing.”

Contact Darrell L. Breese at 352-2267 or at darrell.breese

@frontiersman.com.