Wasilla bowls through Lathrop

WASILLA -- The goal of sport is to be the championship team; to be the best.

On Friday night at Wasilla High School, the Warriors were the best.

The visiting Lathrop Malemutes brought their "A" game, and the Warriors were forced to respond. And respond they did in rather Van Damme-ish fashion, absorbing every blow and fighting on. The 28-21 victory at home drew them one step closer to the playoffs and pushed them forward one big step toward becoming that championship team.

Friday night's game kicked off in the cold September Alaska weather, yet neither team seemed to be aware. After all, these two teams came out hot. Lathrop took the opening kickoff 72 yards down the field, ending the 12-play drive with a 29-yard touchdown run, followed by a missed extra-point attempt.

It seemed as though the Warriors didn't notice. Beginning with the first play from scrimmage, running back Jake Wade let all in attendance know that this night belonged to the home team. He opened up the Warrior offense with a 12-yard charge up the middle. Later in the drive, he caught a third-down pass from quarterback Zach Bennett to move the chains. With three more plays, Wade gained 27 more yards. And for a fitting end to the drive, Wade scored a five yard touchdown up the gut. Following Wade's extra-point kick, the Warriors had already reclaimed the lead.

Early in the second quarter, it appeared that the Malemutes were well on there way to another score but Warrior defensive back Jeff Champion proved it was only an illusion by intercepting a lazy Lathrop pass at the 28-yard-line.

Wasilla managed to move the ball up to its own 45, but Lathrop stymied the Warriors twice. On fourth-and-three, Bennett hit wideout Matt Crane down the sideline for a 35-yard gain. The frustration was visible in the Malemutes, who gave up 15 more yards on the play due to a personal foul.

Wade carried them to the 2-yard-line, and Bennett quickly punched the ball into the end zone with 3 minutes and 37 seconds left in the half. 14-6; Warriors.

Lathrop then fumbled the first play they got the ball back. Lineman Tyler Tillery plucked it up and rumbled ten yards to the edge of the red zone.

"Our lines performed great today" boasted Wasila head coach coach Joe Gardner.

"They allowed us to dictate what we wanted to do on both sides of the ball all game."

Dictate they did, and fast. On the very next play, Wade hit the hole and scampered 20 yards as he took it to the house. Two touchdowns in fewer than thirty seconds is always a good number to dance to entering halftime.

Lathrop was down to the tune of 21-6 at the outset of the third quarter, but not out. After killing a Warrior possession they quickly jumped right back into the game with a 58-yard touchdown run.

"Lathrop has a lot of heart. They did well," said Gardner.

The Warriors quickly stole the thunder right back behind Wade with yet another touchdown, this one a 33-yard charge.

"There was lots of holes today. So, I didn't have to break so many tackles," said Wade.

The Warrior lineman created holes for Wade, and then repeatedly closed them for the 'Mutes. Lathrop had the ball at the Warrior 3-yard-line and a touchdown appeared imminent. Warrior lineman Mike McEvoy made two huge stops in the Lathrop backfield, forcing the Malamutes to turn the ball over on downs.

"We came into the game looking for consistency, and we got it," said Gardner.

Lathrop would be heard from once more with just under a minute and half remaining in the game by means of a touchdown pass and two-point conversion, but it proved to be too little, too late. The Malemute attempt at an onside kick rolled out of bounds, and the Warriors had won.

On the surface it appeared Wade had brought the victory home all by his lonesome with is 144 yards on the ground, three touchdowns and four extra-points.

The reality is it was a total team effort.

"We're 4-2 and looking' to go 6-2," said Gardner. "Looking' to be a playoff team."

Friday night nobody there saw a playoff caliber team. They saw a championship caliber team.