Wolfpack win big at Wasilla

WASILLA — After falling behind early for the third straight week, the Wasilla Warriors, sparked by a pair of big plays, appeared primed to buck recent trends.

Aeron Milliron connected with Jaden Walkemeyer on 47-yard touchdown score to tie the game at 7, and Carson Reed killed a long West Valley drive with an interception in the end zone. They were two plays that could have pushed the momentum Wasilla’s way. But instead, West Valley’s defense stepped up and the offense delivered.

West Valley scored 47 unanswered points en route to a 54-7 Railbelt Conference win over the Warriors at Wasilla High School’s Veterans Memorial Field Friday night.

“It was huge. Something we’ve been talking about is staying consistent and disciplined. One thing is not going to derail us. (We’re) making sure we’re able to come back when we do make mistakes,” West Valley head coach Kyle Allison said of the interception thrown in the end zone after the win.

The West Valley turnover certainly didn’t derail the Wolfpack. And the ensuing defensive stand — West Valley held Wasilla to a missed field goal after the Warriors made the interception — helped the Wolfpack get back on track.

West Valley reached the end zone seven times during the final three quarters, and the Wolfpack defense forced five second-half turnovers as West Valley improved to 3-2 overall and 1-0 in Railbelt play. Wasilla dropped to 0-5 overall and 0-2 in the Railbelt.

Joshua Cummings rushed for 96 yards and three scores for the Woflpack. Zach Lester completed 13 of 17 passes for 185 yards and two touchdowns.

Preston Damario and Jordan Silva added touchdown runs. Jashoun Atkins returned one of West Valley’s four interceptions 28 yards for a late score.

West Valley nabbed four interceptions and a fumble recovery in the second half, and every Wasilla turnover led to a West Valley touchdown.

“They definitely stepped up,” Allison said of his defense. “We’ve been watching film, watching (Wasilla’s) scheme. Our defense took some chances, and I think they came up big doing that tonight.”

Five plays into the second half, Atkins recorded the first of his two interceptions. Two plays later, Cummings scored the second of his three touchdowns.

On Wasilla’s next drive, Brandon Joyner grabbed an interception on Wasilla’s second play of the series. Three plays later, Cummings rumbled for a 19-yard score to give West Valley the 34-7 lead.

Joyner picked off another pass three plays into Wasilla’s following drive. Two plays later, Merrick Stacy caught a 26-yard Lester pass for a touchdown to give West Valley the 41-7 lead.

Five different offensive players reached the end zone for a West Valley team that used its spread formations to amass 359 yards of total offense.

“That’s kind of what we do. That’s what we do regularly,” Allison said of a Wolfpack offense that often uses four- and five-receiver sets. “We saw a couple of things we wanted to exploit, and we took advantage of it.”

Damario gave West Valley the early 7-0 lead, scoring a 13-yard touchdown run less than three minutes into regulation. But Wasilla quickly bounced back with Milliron’s 47-yard touchdown pass to Jaden Walkemeyer. Milliron finished with nine completions for 153 yards. Walkemeyer had four catches for a game-best 107 yards.

West Valley is now tied for the Railbelt lead with Colony at 1-0 in conference play. Lathrop is third at 1-1, while Wasilla is fourth with the 0-2 mark. Even though Railbelt teams have only three conference games, Allison said West Valley is not over-emphasizing those contests.

“We don’t really talk about it. Every week we’re 0-0,” Allison said. “We just want to keep building momentum, keep getting better each week.”

West Valley and Colony clash Friday in Fairbanks.

Contact Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman sports editor Jeremiah Bartz at sports@frontiersman.com.

West Valley 54, Wasilla 7

Sept. 11, Wasilla High School

First quarter:

West Valley — Demario 13 run (Marshall kick) 9:27.

Wasilla — Jaden Walkemeyer 47 pass from Milliron (Reed kick) 4:45.

Second quarter:

West Valley — Omnik 8 pass from Lester (Marshall kick) 2:17.

West Valley — Cummings 10 run (Marshall kick) 1:27.

Third quarter:

West Valley — Cummings 4 run (kick failed) 8:03.

West Valley — Cummings 19 run (Marshall kick) 5:44.

West Valley — Stacy 26 pass from Lester (Marshall kick) 3:07.

Fourth quarter:

West Valley — Silva 2 run (kick failed) 9:04.

West Valley — Atkins 28 interception return (Marshall kick) 4:23.

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS:

RUSHING — West Valley: Cummings 12-96, Lester 8-60, Damario 2-16, Silva 1-2, Wilson 1-2; Wasilla: Alexander 13-38, Milliron 8-20, Lee 2-3, Sodorff 1-3.

PASSING — West Valley: Lester 13-17-1—185; Wasilla: Milliron 9-20-4—153.

RECEIVING — West Valley: Joyner 4-59, Birklid 2-19, Omnik 2-16, Cummings 1-31, Blackweasel 1-27, Stacy 1-26, Wilson 1-9, Thompson 1-(-1); Wasilla: Walkemeyer 4-107, Lee 2-20, Cork 1-11, Sodorff 1-8, Reed 1-6.