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Crimson Bears to battle Wolverines on state gridiron
JDHS travels to South Anchorage for Saturday ASAA First National Bowl semifinal
By Klas Stolpe
Juneau Independent
Coming off one of their most thorough playoff wins, offensively and defensively, the Cook Inlet Conference third-seeded Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé Crimson Bears now approach one of their most historically-bound playoff opponents in the second-ranked South Anchorage Wolverines.
JDHS’ 35-14 quarterfinal win over sixth-seeded Bettye Davis East Anchorage last weekend on the Adair-Kennedy Memorial Park field was anticipated, but the manner in which the Crimson Bears dispatched the Thunderbirds bodes well for Saturday’s 2 p.m. ASAA First National Bowl Series DI football semifinal game on the Wolverines’ home turf.
“We just have to find a way to play good on the road,” JDHS coach Rich Sjoroos said. “We have been able to do that at some points this year. I like where we are at. I feel like the kids are really focused and motivated. We had a good start to our week of practice and just have to keep it going. Defensively, South is just an absolute challenge, but on both sides of the ball they have done very well. They have who some say is the state’s best player (Ethan Yarrington), just a tough matchup, a good runner. They put him at quarterback and he is demonstrating he can throw and run their offense.”
This season South has only suffered a setback to top seed West Anchorage in the final minutes and to Railbelt Conference behemoth Lathrop, a team no one has defeated this season. The Wolverines did have a near quarterfinal exit last weekend, holding off seventh seed Bartlett 7-0.
“Last week we had an unscheduled injury plague come through our team right before the game,” South coach John Lewis said. “And in the first quarter, six players we counted on, and poof, they are gone. This season has been a season of adversity, and we have risen to the challenge. No quarterbacks left, lineman in and out, and the next man up. We are not playing the game to have high scores, but we would like them. Bartlett played hard, we just played a little harder. This group of players is one of the best teams I have had the privilege to coach. Our staff works to coach everyone up to a tougher and smarter level of play.”
South is averaging 26 points per game in the CIC and 22.7 in all games. Their defense allows just 7.7 PPG in the CIC. JDHS averages 25.7 PPG in the CIC while allowing 20.8. In all games 29.6 PPG scored and 17.7 allowed.
This is also the first time South is hosting a semifinal game. The higher seed hosting began in 2019. South won state as the fourth seed last season, it was their first time hosting a playoff game, the quarterfinal.
“They find a way to play their best football no matter where seeded,” Sjoroos said. “A few years ago they were the seventh seed and made it all the way to the finals. They find a way to turn it on in the postseason. We have to play our best football. I think the kids have been doing their homework and will give it their best shot. The crowd is going to be loud, proud and boisterous. We are going to have to navigate that as well. A tough environment, just like any playoff game. Teams would say the same about coming to our atmosphere. You have to find a way to play your game, control and find your tempo and just know you will face challenges. That is one thing about our kids this year. We have had times where we gave up an early score, or even two, and came back. Even this last game we jumped up 13-0 and, credit to East they came back and took the lead. I just felt like nobody on our team panics, they just keep playing until the final whistle blows. They just focus on the moment and don’t let past things influence what they do on the next play.”
The JDHS and South playoff rivalry started in 2006, the year of the Wolverines' first state championship. JDHS had beaten Palmer 19-14 in the quarterfinals and South dispatched Bartlett 42-13.
“They beat us 27-6 in the semifinals,” Sjoroos said. South would win the state title 26-16 over Colony. JDHS placed Carlo Ebron and Faifo Levale on the all-tournament team. Chris Hinkley and Kanaan Bausler were notable standouts.
In 2007 JDHS defeated Colony 33-0 in the quarterfinals and South topped East 10-7.
“We met again in the semifinals,” Sjoroos said. “We were the top seed and ended up going undefeated that year. We beat them 31-14.”
That was the Crimson Bears' 100th win in school history. JDHS went on to win state 23-13 over Palmer, capping off an 11-0 season. Alex Fagerstrom, Lawrence Fenumiai, Bubba Larson, Silver Maake, Zach Heppner, Sterling Lopez, Phil Moser, Dominic Smith and Donovan Wilson earned all-tournament honors.
2008 is a season most remember. South was undefeated (9-0) going into the semifinal matchup. JDHS had dispatched Palmer 34-14 and South topped Dimond 21-13.
“They were pretty heavy favorites against us,” Sjoroos said. “We came back from being down 27-14 in the last six minutes of the game and won 28-27. South had a turnover with six minutes left and we converted for a quick touchdown. It was just coming down to trying to get one more stop. We were able to do that and got the ball back at our own 20-yard line with two-and-a-half minutes to go in the game. Dakota Smith was the quarterback and Alex and Eric Fagerstrom, two Juneau football names, helped lead that final drive. It was actually Eric, who was only a sophomore that year, that scored the winning touchdown. And Joe Slagle had the big extra point, I remember that.”
According to Sjoroos, the first scoring drive in the fourth quarter went 39 yards in four plays, ending with Smith connecting to A. Fagerstrom for a 23-yard touchdown. He had been shut down in his normal backfield position and moved to receiver (totaling 180 yards on nine catches). JDHS stopped South on four straight plays, forcing a punt. With under three minutes to play JDHS drove 79 yards on 15 plays. Smith connected with A. Fagerstrom to start the play and with E. Fagerstrom on the 14-yard game-tying touchdown with 54 seconds left. Slagle kicked the game-winning extra point. South still had a chance starting from Juneau’s 37-yard line. Two passes moved South across the 50 and two desperation bombs with under 15 seconds to play failed, one off a receiver's hands in the end zone, the final finding only turf. Smith completed 17 of 34 passes for 292 yards – 185 in the second half.
“I remember that kick, the wind was blowing pretty hard,” Sjoroos said. “It was the only extra point made into the wind in that direction of the field that day. That was an unexpected win. South had such a dominant season and were the number one seed and obviously looking to avenge the prior year’s loss to us in ’07. We had met in the semifinals three years in a row.”
JDHS fell in the championship to Service 22-14. A. Fagerstrom, Smith, Fenumiai, Chance Galletes, Lincoln Maka and Jack Perkins earned all-tournament honors.
It would be over 10 years until another playoff meeting. In 2019 South came to Adair-Kennedy field and won in the night 54-18 over the then Juneau Huskies. They followed that with a 21-14 win over West in the semifinals and won state 27-13 over Service.
“It was a pretty close game in the first half,” Sjoroos said. “They really separated in the second half and showed why they were the top team in the state that year.”
In 2022 Juneau dispatched South 52-21 in the quarterfinals, toppled East 39-6 in the semifinals, but fell to Colony 14-7 in the championship. Brandon Campbell, Gerrell Williams and Jamal Johnson earned all-tournament honors.
In 2025 South hosted JDHS in the quarterfinals, winning 38-17. The Wolverines next topped West 24-10 in the semifinals and won state 37-3 over Bartlett.
“That was another one that was pretty close,” Sjoroos said. “We were down 21-17 halfway through the third quarter, and then they just got on a bit of a run and pulled away and never looked back.”
Of all the JDHS teams that have faced South, Sjoroos compares this year’s team to the Crimson Bears of 2006, the year the playoff rivalry began.
“Looking at the beginning of this year and where we thought our ceiling was, and seeing the kids evolve and surpass what some of our expectations were,” Sjoroos said. “I feel like that is what the 2006 team did. Making it to the semifinals and playing really good football at the end of the year. We had graduated a lot of lineman the year before, just like this year’s team has faced, a new line that has gelled as the season moved along. Every team has their own unique identity so it is really hard to say they are exactly like that team, but there are some similarities there… Now here we are again meeting in the second round of the playoffs. Going back to the road matchup again and a credit to South for the season they have had. I am super happy with the way our kids have played this year and looking forward to another good physical football game.”
South is also anticipating a physical game.
“Rich and the Juneau team play hard, smart, and aggressive style football,” South coach John Lewis said. “They take the kids from their school and make them into football players. South and Juneau are pretty close to the same blueprint of a program. We make football players out of other sport athletes, surround them in a culture to be fearless, and they play hard for the pride of our schools and communities. It is going to be another classic game for the books.”
JDHS has 168 career wins through last Saturday’s defeat of East. Since Reilly Richey laid the foundation of the Crimson Bears in 1990 with the motto “Respect is Earned. Not Given,” and the team hosted Colorado’s Paonia High School, winning 34-20, they have always put players on the gridiron.
Even as Thunder Mountain High School had 38 wins from 2009-2017, when the two schools both fielded football teams. Even when both schools began struggling due to Juneau School District funding cuts, high travel costs and player safety concerns associated with declining roster sizes. Crimson Bears chose to play.
The Alaska School Activities Association approved the merger of the two teams in late 2017 and they played from 2018-2023. The Thunder Bears, a student-chosen name, was selected for the inaugural 2018 season but was abandoned after a derogatory internet definition came to light. The players called themselves Juneau United the first season and the student body selected Huskies thereafter (historically the mascot of early Douglas athletics before merging with Juneau in 1956). TMHS and JDHS gridiron boys played together.
TMHS closed in 2023. The Huskies earned 27 wins in the merger. JDHS had compiled 156 wins prior to it. The Huskies name remained one more season, with three wins, and reverted to the JDHS Crimson Bears from 2025 on.
“People say South and Juneau have some similar characteristics,” Sjoroos said. “Physical style of play, both like to run the football, play aggressive defense, tackle as a group. John (Lewis) has been coaching a long time and has a great group there and gets the most out of those kids. He is one of the most successful coaches the state has ever had and I am looking forward to this matchup. We both have passionate and intelligent players, determined and motivated. You need a little luck on your side health wise. They have been getting players back and we have been hanging in there.”
JDHS’ methodical and unflinching front line play, their swarming defense, resilient offensive attack and special teams power have all been built from day one of practice and refined over the, now, 10th game of the season. A game awaiting classical book anointing.
Note: Rich Sjoroos coached JV two seasons (2001-2002), was varsity offensive coordinator six seasons (2003-2008), head coach five seasons (2003-2013) and head coach 2019-present.
FOOTBALL WRAP UPS
DI COOK INLET
Big Hits: All really went according to plan in the quarterfinals, with the top four teams advancing, albeit South receiving a scare against traditionally upset-minded Bartlett. This weekend’s matchups are not cut-and-dried. Every team has improved from week one, some faster than others. The disparity between number one through four has been narrowed down to the fact that one play can determine who moves on to the state championship game. The team that has absorbed film study more thorough than another, can topple a higher-ranked opponent.
Season Scores Per Week:
JDHS - L 16-6 South, W 17-14 East, W 52-0 North Pole, W 47-12 Service, W 41-27 Colony, L 21-9 West, L 28-27 Dimond, W 33-28 Bartlett, W 35-14 East.
South - W 16-6 JDHS, W 13-0 Bartlett, L 27-16 Lathrop, L 21-14 West, W 52-14 Dimond, W 20-0 Colony, W 24-0 Service, W 43-13 East, W 7-0 Bartlett.
West - W 67-0 Bartlett, W 52-0 Dimond, L 38-16 Heritage (Colorado), W 21-14 South, W 20-0 Service, W 21-9 JDHS, W 39-0 East, W 45-7 Colony, W 49-7 Dimond.
Colony - W 55-14 Dimond, W 26-10 Service, L 14-7 Palmer, W 36-29 East, L 41-27 JDHS, L 20-0 South, W 21-19 Bartlett, L 45-7 West, W 22-14 Service.
Playoff Quarterfinals:
Fri. 10/09: No.4 Colony 22, No.5 Service 14 / Colony had 65% Chance To Win with a Projected Score of 26-1.
Fri. 10/09: No.1 West 49, No.8 Dimond 7 / West 99% CTW, PS 56-6.
Sat. 10/10: No.2 South 7, No.7 Bartlett 0 / South 95% CTW, PS 28-3.
Sat. 10/10: No.3 JDHS 35, No.6 East 14 / JDHS 87% CTW, PS 31-13.
Playoff Semifinals:
Fri. 10/16 @ West H.S. 7 p.m.: West vs Colony / West 96% CTW, PS 35-8.
Sat. 10/17 @ South H.S. 2 p.m.: South vs JDHS / South 65% CTW, PS 21-14.
DII RAILBELT
Big Hits: Lathrop sat atop the Railbelt standings all season for a reason. They are talented and tough. Their overall record has now improved to 9-0 (7-0 RBC) - which includes a 27-16 win over CIC’s South Anchorage in week three of the season. Their 57-27 semifinal defeat of No.4 Palmer (4-3, 5-4) was expected, as was Soldotna’s 46-8 dismantling of No.3 Wasilla (5-2, 6-3). The Stars (6-1 RBC, 7-2 OA) and Malemutes now have the showdown of the season. Lathrop nipped SOHI 23-20 in week four, but defending champion SOHI (51-28 over Lathrop), just as talented and tough, always play better on afternoon games on the road. Yes, Lathrop is undefeated so they have traveled for wins, and are seeking revenge for that 2025 state championship loss. Perhaps the determining factor will be which larger fan base travels the 315-miles on the George Parks Highway south (232 air miles), or the 189-miles northward on the Sterling, Seward, Glenn and Parks Highways (93 air miles). And which team the Wasilla faithful root for. Lathrop is averaging 44.2 points per game in the RBC and allowing just 10.5, SOHI is scoring 44.5 in RBC while allowing 14.
Season Scores:
Lathrop - W 49-8 North Pole, W 42-0 Eagle River, W 27-16 South, W 23-20 SOHI, W 42-26 Palmer, W 43-0 Chugiak, W 41-14 Wasilla, W 70-14 West Valley, W 57-27 Palmer.
Soldotna - W 49-14 Wasilla, W 49-19 West Valley, L 35-28 Star Valley (Wyoming), L 23-20 Lathrop, W 33-6 North Pole, W 61-7 Eagle River, W 47-14 Palmer, W 53-15 Chugiak, W 46-8 Wasilla.
State Semifinals:
Sat. 10/10: Lathrop 57, Palmer 27 / Lathrop was favored with a 95% CTW, and PS of 42-17.
Sat. 10/10: Soldotna 46, Wasilla 8 / Soldotna was favored with a 90% CTW, PS 42-21.
State Championship:
Sat. 10/17 @ Wasilla H.S. 4 p.m.: Lathrop vs Soldotna / Lathrop 53% CTW, PS 31-30.
DIII MID ALASKA
Big Hits: Defending state champion Homer had a 53 percent chance to win last weekend and those odds were covered, although the one-point win margin was instead a one score (6-0) scare by resurgent Redington. Kenai was not favored against last season’s state runner-up Barrow, despite the Kardinals two-point win over the Whalers halfway through the season. Losses to Redington and Homer in season, while Barrow defeated those opponents, played a part in that prediction. Which goes to show the old adage of “That is why they play the game.” Look for Kenai to topple TWO-time defending state champ Homer and earn back the state crown won in 2023 (20-8 over Barrow). Homer defeated Barrow 20-0 in 2025 and Kenai 16-0 in 2024. This season Kenai has averaged 35.5 PPG in conference and allowed just 12.1. Homer, scoring just 17.6 and allowing 26.3, have defied the odds to earn the title clash.
Season Scores:
Kenai Central - W 52-6 Homer, W 68-18 Redington, L 21-14 Wasilla, W 20-18 Barrow, W 48-0 Houston, L 24-19 Redington, L 7-6 Homer, W 34-20 Barrow.
Homer - L 52-6 Kenai, L 40-22 Barrow, L 42-34 Dimond, W 65-8 Houston, L 16-0 Redington, L 36-6 Barrow, W 7-6 Kenai, W 6-0 Redington.
Semifinal Scores:
Fri. 10/09: Homer 6, Redington 0 / Homer had a 53% CTW with a PS 22-21.
Sat. 10/10: Kenai 34, Barrow 20 / Barrow was favored with a 58% CTW and a PS of 22-19.
State Championship:
Sat. 10/17 @ Wasilla H.S. 12 p.m.: Homer vs Kenai / Kenai 88% CTW, PS 27-7.
DENALI 9-MAN
Big Hits: This league continues to cruise along like a documentary season for the Student Wrestler Development Program. SWDP are the two-time defending state DIVISION I WRESTLING CHAMPIONS and DI wrestling runner-ups in 2023! They are the 9-Man Football defending state champs. They can field a majority of weight classes but not an 11-20 man gridiron roster. Look for SWDP to “pin” Saturday’s state football title. Maybe Kodiak “escapes” by beating the over/under spread. SWDP is averaging 66.2 points per game and allowing just 3.2. Kodiak is averaging 38.6 PPG while allowing 27.5. The “takedown” favors SWDP unless some Archangels don’t make weight. On a serious note, much credit to the Archangels. They have dominated this season and done so in good sportsmanship and hard work ethics. They are also the two-time Academic Award winners at the DI Wrestling Championships and 2024 Sportsmanship winner. And a credit to Kodiak, always willing to mix it up on the gridiron. Good luck on Saturday.
Season Scores:
SWDP - W 60-0 Monroe, W 90-0 Valdez, W 42-6 Kodiak, W 74-6 Nikiski, 78-6 Seward, W 2-0 Monroe forfeit, W 92-0 Valdez, W 32-0 Kodiak, W 62-8 Seward.
Kodiak - W 46-22 Seward, W 40-12 Monroe, L 42-6 SWDP, W 68-0 Valdez, W 46-20 Nikiski, W 28-12 Seward, L 64-54 Monroe, L 32-0 SWDP, W 60-44 Nikiski.
Playoff Semifinals:
Fri. 10/09: Kodiak 60, Nikiski 44 / Kodiak had a 60% CTW with a PS 35-31.
Sat. 10/10: SWDP 62, Seward 8 / SWDP had a 99% CTW, PS 49-7.
Championship:
Sat. 10/17 @ Redington High School 7 p.m.: SWDP vs Kodiak / SWDP 97% CTW, PS 48-17.
ALL ALASKA POLL (Cook Inlet, Railbelt, Mid Alaska, Denali 9-Man)
1. Lathrop (Fairbanks - DII RBC 8-0) 9-0; 2. Soldotna (Soldotna - DII RBC 7-1) 7-2; 3. West (Anchorage - DI CIC 8-0) 8-1; 4. South (Anchorage - DI CIC 7-1) 7-2; 5. Juneau-Douglas (Juneau - DI CIC 5-3) 6-3; 6. Wasilla (Wasilla - DII RBC 5-3) 6-3; 7. Palmer (Palmer - DII RBC 4-4) 5-4; 8. Colony (Palmer - DI CIC 5-3) 5-4; 9. Service (Anchorage - DI CIC 3-5) 4-5; 10. Bartlett (Anchorage - DI CIC 1-7) 2-7; 11. North Pole (North Pole - DII RBC 3-4) 3-5; 12. Bettye Davis East (Anchorage - DI CIC 2-6) 2-7; 13. Chugiak (Chugiak - DII RBC 2-5) 3-5; 14. Kenai (Kenai - DIII MAC 5-2) 5-3; 15. West Valley (Fairbanks - DII RBC 1-6) 1-7; 16. Barrow (Utqiagvik - DIII MAC 5-2) 5-2; 17. Dimond (Anchorage - DI CIC 1-7) 2-7; 18. Homer (Homer - DIII MAC 3-4) 3-5; 19. Redington (Wasilla - DIII MAC 4-3) 4-4; 20. Eagle River (Eagle River - DII RBC 0-7) 0-8; 21. Houston (Big Lake - DIII MAC 0-6) 0-6; 22. SWDP (Fairbanks - D9M) 9-0; 23. Kodiak (Kodiak - D9M) 6-3; 24. Nikiski (Nikiski - D9M) 5-4; 25. Seward (Seward - D9M) 4-5; 26. Monroe (Fairbanks - D9M) 2-6; 27. Valdez (Valdez - D9M) 0-8.
(The Juneau Independent bases their standings on editorial opinion, local readership knowledge, MaxPreps, ASBN, Sports Illustrated, ASAA, Alaska Sports Report, ASHOF, national state ranking polls and opinionated interviews. They are not to be used for betting purposes).
• Contact Klas Stolpe at sports@juneauindependent.com
