Wasilla loses bid for state final

ANCHORAGE--As semifinal Saturday began, the four best football teams in the state paired off to decide which two teams would fight for the state title.

For the Wasilla Warriors, the defending state champion Dimond Lynx stood in the way of a second trip to the championship game in the last three years.

Despite a valiant effort to stay in the game, Wasilla's hopes of playing for another state title were put on hold as Dimond ended the Warriors' season with a 33-6 victory.

"They just executed well," said running back/linebacker Abe Salmon. "They were able to block us out and open holes."

Despite bitter temperatures in the low 20s, Dimond ran the option well by spreading the field, eluding and breaking tackles for big gains. Wasilla was able to contain the run most of the time but gave up huge gains on single plays throughout the game.

The balanced attack of Wasilla could not get on track to take advantage of opportunities or get into the usual rhythm that it enjoyed most of the year.

Dimond scored first on its second possession of the game when running back Joe Chirhart took a pitch to the right side and ran 61 yards for a touchdown, giving Dimond the early lead 6-0.

The score remained 6-0 until Wasilla recovered a Lynx fumble on Dimond's 41-yard line with 3:38 left to go in the second quarter. The fumble recovery provided a huge boost for Wasilla, giving the Warriors excellent field position to mount a scoring drive.

Wasilla was unable to capitalize on the turnover and punted the ball back to Dimond with 2:17 left in the half.

Dimond drove down the field again to get into scoring range, until Wasilla's Mike Elder picked off an errant Dimond pass on Wasilla's 7-yard line. With 43 seconds left in the half, Wasilla drained the remaining seconds to end the half down 6-0.

Wasilla's defense did well to stop Dimond throughout the first half, making big plays to halt drives when the Lynx were moving the ball.

Dimond opened the second half with an immediate touchdown when Jason Simmons kept the ball on an option and ran 53 yards for the score, giving Dimond the 12-0 lead just into the second half.

Wasilla moved the ball with some success in the quarter, but not enough to sustain a drive that yielded points.

At the end of the third quarter, Dimond drove to Wasilla's 16-yard line. Two plays into the fourth quarter, Dimond punched in another touchdown from 3 yards out, making the score 18-0.

Wasilla was held short of a first down on its next possession and was forced to punt.

Instead of punting, Wasilla's Travis Dutcher threw the ball downfield to attempt to pick up the first down.

Pass interference was called on Dimond to give Wasilla a first down. Dimond added an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty when Lynx players complained to referees about the pass interference penalty. The pass interference and unsportsmanlike conduct penalty covered 27 yards and put Wasilla on Dimond's 35-yard line.

On third and 10, quarterback Jake Carney hit Dutcher on a short pass in the middle of the field. Dutcher broke two tackles and took the ball to the 6-yard line. Salmon followed with a 6-yard surge off the left tackle for a touchdown with 9:57 left in the game. Wasilla closed the gap to 18-6.

Any hopes of a miracle comeback such as the one demonstrated by Carney and crew at West Valley earlier in the year were quickly extinguished as Dimond exploded for a 32-yard touchdown followed by another touchdown that chewed precious time from the clock and gave Dimond the lead 33-6 with 3:17 remaining in the game.

Time expired to give Dimond the win 33-6.

The loss ended a fine year for the Warriors, who provided many exciting moments for their fans throughout the season.

The loss also brought an emotional conclusion for the players as many of the Wasilla seniors realized the end of their football careers.

In the later game, Bartlett beat West Valley 14-13 to earn the right to face Dimond in the state championship game Saturday.