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Crimson Bears prepare to chase pigskin at Lynx den
Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé can clinch home playoff berth with win at Dimond
By Klas Stolpe
Juneau Independent
The Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé football team travels to Anchorage’s Dimond High School on Saturday and with a win over the Lynx can clinch a home-field playoff game. The teams kick off at 2 p.m.
“Dimond has one of the most dynamic players in the state,” JDHS coach Rich Sjoroos said. “They have an explosive passing attack and have been putting pressure on defenses all season.”
Sjoroos was referring to Dimond senior quarterback and defensive end Braden Pili. The Lynx have 13 seniors on their roster and 15 juniors.
“My expectation from Juneau is the same as it always is,” Dimond head coach Devin Collins said. “A well-coached, physical team that always shows up to play tough.”
JDHS is third in the Cook Inlet Conference in offense, averaging 24 points per game, and third in defense, allowing just 18 points per game. Those numbers improve when including non-conference games, as they average 28.6 — second best in Division I — and allow 15.
“This team has one of the best chemistries,” said JDHS senior linebacker and running back Jaxin Jim. “In all my years of playing in high school, this team’s bonding is strong. I love how my team is all playing for each other. On defense, I always go over whose job is whose and who puts us in a good spot. And knowing that my guys know their jobs, it feels like we are playing for each other. So far we just need to keep going and finish this season with strong performances and discipline. With those two things we will be looking good for the playoffs.”
Added senior quarterback and defensive back Krew Ridle, “I have liked our grit and passion this season and the way we have all come together as a team this season.”
Dimond averages 14.2 points per game in CIC games — fifth best — but they allow a league-leading 49.2. The Lynx’s lone win was over DIII Homer 42-34.
“Our philosophy nurtures resilience,” Collins said. “So often handling the hard part of life is glossed over, and we want to instill here that resilience is a part of life. This being my first year, and the results on the field not being picture perfect, I am the proudest of the young men that don the maroon and gold and fight every single day. It helps to know that our program is moving in a great direction.”
Dimond lost to Colony 55-14, lost to West 52-0, defeated Homer, lost to Bartlett 52-22, lost to South 52-14 and lost to Bettye Davis East Anchorage 35-21.
JDHS lost to South 16-6, defeated East 17-14, defeated North Pole 52-0, defeated Service 47-12, defeated Colony 41-27 and lost to West 21-9.
JDHS does not want to rely on their final game of the season, hosting Bartlett, to decide their playoff situation, as the Golden Bears are always a threat. Bartlett could hinder Colony’s home playoff hopes if they defeat the Knights this weekend and Service upsets South. After this weekend, Colony faces West in their final season game, and Service faces Dimond.
“I have been impressed all year with how motivated this team is to practice and play,” Sjoroos said. “They have taken on every challenge and I expect they will continue that as we wrap up the regular season.”
ALL ALASKA POLL (Cook Inlet, Railbelt, Mid Alaska)
1. Lathrop (Fairbanks - RBC 5-0) 6-0; 2. West (Anchorage - CIC 5-0) 5-1; 3. Soldotna (Soldotna - RBC 4-0) 4-2; 4. South (Anchorage - CIC 4-1) 4-2; 5. Juneau-Douglas (Juneau - CIC 3-2) 4-2; 6. Palmer (Palmer - RBC 4-1) 5-1; 7. Wasilla (Wasilla - RBC 4-1) 5-1; 8. Kenai (Kenai - MAC 4-0) 4-1; 9. Colony (Palmer - CIC 3-2) 3-3; 10. Barrow (Utqiagvik - MAC 4-1) 4-1; 11. Chugiak (Chugiak - RBC 2-3) 3-3; 12. Redington (Wasilla - MAC 2-2) 2-3; 13. Bartlett (Anchorage - CIC 1-4) 2-4; 14. Service (Anchorage - CIC 2-3) 3-3; 15. North Pole (North Pole - RBC 1-4) 1-5; 16. Bettye Davis East (Anchorage - CIC 2-3) 2-4; 17. Dimond (Anchorage - CIC 0-5) 1-5; 18. West Valley (Fairbanks - RBC 0-5) 0-6; 19. Eagle River (Eagle River - RBC 0-5) 0-6; 20. Homer (Homer - MAC 1-4) 1-5; 21. Houston (Big Lake - MAC 0-4) 0-4.
(The Juneau Independent bases their standings on local readership knowledge, MaxPreps, ASBN, Sports Illustrated, ASAA, Alaska Sports Report, ASHOF, national state ranking polls and opinionated interviews).
STANDINGS/ WEEK 6 SCORES / WEEK 7 GAMES
DI COOK INLET
BIG HITS - A 21-9 loss to top-seed West Anchorage does not move Juneau-Douglas out of their third-place standing, as South dispatched Colony 20-0 to prevent the Knights from making up any ground in the conference. And JDHS toppled Colony 41-27 two weekends ago. Service and East both earned victories over the bottom two teams, Bartlett and Dimond respectively, so they remain locked in mediocrity for another week. If JDHS and Colony can do what is expected of them this week, they should remain as hosts of a first-round playoff game. And if they can do it again on Week 8 — a week in which West faces Colony — the possibility of two home playoff games loom. Service can be the spoiler, but South coming into the Cougars' den Saturday is still a daunting task, as challenging as the Knights having to road trip to the Golden Bears.
1. West (5-0, 5-1); 2. South (4-1, 4-2); 3. JDHS (3-2, 4-2); 4. Colony (3-2, 3-3); 5. Service (2-3, 3-3); 6. East (2-3, 2-4); 7. Bartlett (1-4, 2-4); 8 - Dimond (0-5, 1-5).
Week 6 Scores:
Fri: West 21, Juneau 9
Fri: South 20, Colony 0
Sat: Service 20, Bartlett 6
Sat: East 35, Dimond 21
Week 7 Games:
Fri: East 2-4 vs West 5-1 / West 95% Chance To Win, Projected Score 28-3
Sat: Bartlett vs Colony / Colony 81% CTW, PS 28-14
Sat: Dimond 1-5 vs Juneau-Douglas 4-2 / Juneau 99% CTW, PS 61-14
Sat: Service 3-3 vs South / South 81% CTW, PS 21-7
DII RAILBELT
BIG HITS - Both Palmer (4-1 in conference) and Wasilla (4-1) have ideal chances to now make a home playoff bid. But they have a heavy task to do so. Wasilla travels to unbeaten Lathrop (5-0) and Palmer invites Soldotna (4-1) onto their field. The Malemutes are odds-on favorites to stay unblemished, and the Stars are notorious for winning on the road. The top two teams will be set if they fail. Chugiak (2-3) needs to win its final two games — probably win this weekend but their last game is against Soldotna — to have a chance to play in the opening round semifinals. After this weekend Palmer faces Wasilla, if they both succumbe to the above prediction they face each other in their final regular-season game sitting on 4-2 records. If one of them finishes 4-3 and Chugiak does topple SOHI and finish 4-3…well, it makes no difference, as both the Moose and Warriors have beaten the Mustangs. By all appearances, Lathrop and Sohi host the opening rounds Oct. 9-1o and meet in the championship game Oct. 16 at Colony High School.
1. Lathrop (5-0, 6-0); 2. Soldotna (4-1, 4-2); 3. Palmer (4-1, 5-1); 4. Wasilla (4-1, 5-1); 5. Chugiak (2-3, 3-3); 6. North Pole (1-4, 1-5); 7. West Valley (0-5, 0-6); 8. Eagle River (0-5, 0-6).
Week 6 Scores:
Fri: Lathrop 43, Chugiak 0
Fri: Soldotna 61, Eagle River 7
Fri: Palmer 28, West Valley 10
Fri: Wasilla 28, North Pole 6
Week 7 Games:
Fri: Lathrop 6-0 vs Wasilla 5-1 / Lathrop 90% CTW, PS 38-17
Fri: Palmer 5-1 vs Soldotna 4-2 / Soldotna 88% CTW, PS 41-22
Fri: Chugiak 3-3 vs North Pole 1-5 / Chugiak 58% CTW, PS 17-14
Sat: Eagle River 0-6 vs West Valley 0-6 / West Valley 60% CTW, PS 21-17
DIII MID ALASKA
BIG HITS - It is almost improbable, and highly unlikely, that Kenai and Barrow are not hosting the opening MAC semifinal games. Kenai would have to lose their final two games against the two teams that are next in line to sit at the bottom of the rankings, and Barrow would have to lose to the team sitting at the bottom. But Barrow has already beaten Redington, and Kenai has beaten everyone in the MAC, but not yet played Redington and Homer. Kardinals and Whalers fans should book travel plans for the Oct. 17 DIII state championship game at Wasilla High School.
1. Kenai (4-0, 4-1); 2. Barrow (4-1, 4-1); 3. Redington (2-2, 2-3); 4. Homer (1-4, 1-5); 5. Houston (0-4, 0-4).
Week 6 Scores:
Sat: Kenai 48, Houston 0
Sat: Barrow 36, Homer 6
Week 7 Games:
Fri: Kenai 4-1 vs Redington 2-3 / Kenai 98% CTW, PS 42-8
Sat: Barrow 4-1 vs Houston 0-4 / Barrow 99% CTW, PS 55-6
D2-D3 Poll:
1. Laathrop 6-0 vs Wasilla 5-1
2. Wasilla 5-1 at Lathrop 6-0
3. Soldotna 4-2 vs Palmer 5-1
4. Palmer 5-1 vs Soldotna 4-2
5. Kenai 4-1 vs Redington 2-3
DENALI 9-MAN
BIG HITS - The top four teams will compete for an unofficial state championship. The semifinals start on Oct. 9-10 and the championship is Oct. 16 or 17. The location is to be determined.
1. Student Wrestler Development Program (6-0); 2. Kodiak (5-1); 3. Seward (3-3); 4. Nikiski (3-3); 5. Monroe (1-5); 6. Valdez (0-6).
Week 6 Scores:
Fri: Kodiak 28, Seward 12
Sat: SWDP 2, Monroe 0 (forfeit)
Sat: Nikiski 60, Valdez 20
Week 7 Games:
Fri: Kodiak 5-1 vs Monroe 1-5 / Kodiak 97% CTW, PS 42-12
Fri: Nikiski 3-3 vs Seward 3-3 / Seward 72% CTW, PS 42-34
Sat: SWDP 6-0 vs Valdez 0-6 / SWDP 99% CTW, PS 85-41
ALASKA SPORTS REPORT - Athlete of the Week
Allie Ostrander - The runner from Soldotna placed 12th in the 5K at the World Road Running Championships in Denmark. The Kenai Central 2015 graduate (10 individual state titles in high school) clocked a lifetime-best 15 minutes, 10 seconds to lower her own Alaska record and achieve her highest finish yet at a senior world championship. The time also ranks Ostrander 14th all-time in U.S. history for the road 5K. Runner-up - Taylor Deal of Anchorage ran the second-fastest time by a woman in the 63-year history of the annual Equinox Marathon in Fairbanks. Deal (nee Ostrander) romped to victory Sunday in 3:08:34.2 — nearly 24 minutes ahead of the next-fastest women’s finisher. Her time was 72 seconds off Anna Dalton’s record of 3:07:22 set in 2021. Deal, 32, placed seventh overall. Second Runner-up - Carter Morris. The 16-year-old Anchorage forward got an early-season promotion to the USA Hockey National Team Development Program (NTDP) Under-18 squad and scored the lone goal in Team USA's 4-1 loss to the Sioux Falls Stampede on Sunday in Chicago.
NOTE: Alaska Sports Hall of Fame executive director Harlow Robinson and Alaska sports journalists and photographers, including Beth Bragg, Matt Nevala, Van Williams, Kathleen Navarre, Arielle Himelbloom, Stephanie Burgoon, Doyle Woody, Jason Metrokin and Juneau Independent sports editor Klas Stolpe vote each week for athletes to be chosen for publishing in the Alaska Sports Report.
• Contact Klas Stolpe at sports@juneauindependent.com
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