Wasilla duo headed to VCS

WASILLA — The Alaska football pipeline continues to flow to eastern North Dakota.

Valley City State, an NAIA squad known to stockpile Alaska football talent, has lured eight more players from the 49th state to join the Viking football program, and two of those athletes are from Wasilla High School.

Wasilla seniors Chris Crane and Chris Lafe each signed a National Letters of Intent to attend Valley City State and will become part of a group of at least 18 Alaska players on the Vikings roster.

It marks the second straight year that two Wasilla players sign at the same time to attend VCS. Former Warriors Beebo Russell and Shane Green made the trip together to North Dakota for their freshman season last year. Not only will Crane and Lafe do the same next fall, but Crane will also be reunited with his older brother Matt, a former WHS standout who will be a junior in the fall.

“It’s awesome. I’m really excited. I get to go play football with Chris Lafe and my brother,” Crane said.

Crane, who was named All-Railbelt Conference and second-team all-state as a running back his senior season, had a handful of options, but ultimately the chance to play with high school teammates and his brother was too much of a draw.

“I think I really wanted to go play with my brother, and just go play football, and have fun playing football,” Crane said. “I never got to play in high school with him.”

Crane led the Warriors with 814 yards and seven rushing touchdowns during his senior season and will stay on the offensive side of the ball at Valley City. Crane will line up as a fullback, waht VCS calls the “jack back,” Crane said. Coincidentally, it’s the same position Russell also plays.

“It’ll be fun, I get to compete with Beebo again,” Crane said.

The jack back is an aptly named jack of all trades position, with a responsibility to run, catch and block. Crane said he’s looking forward to the challenge of the new position, but hopes to have the chance to run the ball.

“(Beebo) said it’s a tough position,” Crane said. “But I’m hoping to get to be the running back.”

Crane’s toughest decision did not have to do with a football program, but whether to play football or give college wrestling a shot. Earlier this year Crane capped his prep wrestling career by winning a 4A state title at 189 pounds.

“I thought a lot about wrestling,” said Crane, who had opportunities to wrestle at schools in Oregon and Colorado. “It’s tough because Valley City doesn’t have a wrestling team.”

While Crane could have gone either way, Lafe knew that a path to college football was the only way he wanted to go.

“Football’s always been my sport,” said Lafe, who will play on the defensive line at VCS.

Lafe, a second-team All-Railbelt Conference selection, said he was considering about five schools, but like Crane, he is looking forward for the opportunity to play with some of his prep teammates.

“I’ll meet new friends, but it’s nice to have one with you,” Lafe said about scoring the chance to play college football with his classmate.

Lafe played on both the offensive and defensive line during his time at Wasilla, but choosing between the two was fairly easy.

“Defense has pretty much always been my thing,” Lafe said.

Lafe could play either defensive end or outside linebacker at Valley City. His coaches told him he has among the top lifts in the weight room of any of the incoming Valley City State freshmen. Right now, Lafe said he has hit 300 pounds in the bench press, 450 in the squad and 270 in the power clean.

Contact Frontiersman sports editor Jeremiah Bartz at sports@frontiersman.com.