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Crimson Bears welcome Golden Bears in regular season finale
JDHS will host a first-round playoff game no matter the outcome
By Klas Stolpe
Juneau Independent
The Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé football team will host Cook Inlet Conference foe Bartlett in the final game of the regular season Saturday on the Adair-Kennedy Memorial Park field.
JDHS will host a first-round playoff game the following week, no matter Saturday’s outcome, and Bartlett will travel for their first-round contest.
“We are still striving to play our best football at the end of the year,” JDHS coach Rich Sjoroos said. “Bartlett always presents a tough physical challenge. No changes to our preparations despite hosting a playoff game next week.”
Bartlett coach Hans Deemer said, “We expect to see a physical, well-coached football team that will compete for four quarters. Juneau has a strong tradition and we know they will be prepared. For us, the focus is on playing disciplined football, executing our assignments and giving our players the opportunity to showcase the growth they have made throughout the season. We look forward to the challenge.”
And it will be a challenge. For both. Yes, playoff positions are basically decided. But the Crimson Bears will also be honoring their senior players, an added incentive to not stumble against the historically powerful Golden Bears.
“All the senior groups are special,” Sjoroos said. “But I am really proud of this group and the grit and determination they have shown all season. Very coachable, great personalities, lots of talent. All will be missed.”
Deemer said, “Our approach does not change. We focus on preparing one day at a time, improving fundamentals and playing to our standard. The goal is to compete at a high level and continue developing habits that will help our players be successful not only in high school, but also at the collegiate level. We want our players to understand that meaningful football is earned through consistent preparation and execution.”
JDHS senior recognition begins at 2:30 p.m. Saturday. The varsity game follows at 3 p.m. (JV play at noon). Saturday’s game is also the Crimson Bears’ annual breast cancer awareness spotlight.
JDHS will celebrate seniors Jake Chambers (56, TE/LB), Isaiah Galletes-Fale (75, OL/DL), Johnny Hunter (30, WR/DB), Jaxin Jim (20, RB/LB), Sonny Mazon (2, RB/DB/K), Tyler Oudekerk (55, TE/DL), Krew Ridle (14, QB/DB), Avei Tuvaifale (8, WR/DB), and Ethan Van Kirk (3, RB/DB). The nine have basically spent 12 years growing through the Juneau sporting fields to earn recognitions.
“JDHS football just means showing up for my family, showing up for the teams that came before me,” Chambers said. “Showing up for my community and representing by playing the best football I can to make people that played football before and people who are from Juneau proud of the team that we have.”
Chambers’ first moments on the gridiron were in flag football in kindergarten.
“Senior night is a celebration,” Chambers said. “It is like a victory lap of all the work we have all put in. It means a lot to be recognized by our community and to be sent out in a good way.”
Ethan Van Kirk first played football in third grade, took a break, and returned in eighth grade.
“JDHS Bears’ football means a lot to me,” Van Kirk said. “It’s the people, the friends that you make along the way, they really just become your brothers over time. We have been working with these guys, for a lot of us, since middle school. So it means a lot to go out there one last time for our last regular-season home game. That is what senior night is too: last home game, last regular-season game you will ever have in high school. It means a lot to be out there.”
Jaxin Jim first played football at age five, in the kindergarten flag football scene.
“Football means a lot,” Jim said. “We all bond together so much. It is definitely really hard for me to explain it. It is a positive part of life to have when you are older. It is good to have football, good to have my friends, good to have this whole community and it is good to lead people into football.”
“I don’t think I would have ever played football without my friends,” Mazon said. “They brought me into this program. Coming into practice, raining, wind blowing, I am just there and they make me want to come play football for Juneau.”
Avei Tuvaifale first played football in the seventh grade.
“JDHS football means more than just wins and losses,” Tuvaifale said. “Like Jake was saying, we are a community-based town. So it is not only the players that put in the hard work to be able to play, but just being supported by our community and knowing that when we step on the field, helps us get into the right mindset.”
Krew Ridle first donned football gear at age five.
“JDHS football means a lot to me,” Ridle said. “My parents played for the program when they were my age. It is a great thing to be representing our town and our community and to be playing with my brothers. We have been playing together since we all first started on the field down in flag football. It has been 13 years.”
Isaiah Galletes-Fale first played football five years ago, in eighth grade.
“Football means a lot,” Galletes-Fale said. “There is obviously the hard work that we put into it every day. And there is also the parts you do not see…when we are out fundraising missing days of practice, coming together as a team, and just helping each other out. That definitely means a lot to me, especially for the people who have come before us. It is a ritual at this point.”
Tyler Oudekerk first came to the program his sophomore season.
“Juneau football really means a lot to me because, even though it is one of, if not the, hardest sports to get into — and I came in to it late — it was still a very welcoming environment,” Oudekerk said. “It was very easy to get into and very easy to want to play and want to come to practice, rain or shine, no matter what gets in the way. It made me want to play and get playing time and work hard for it. Juneau football is so different. The coaches did want every single player to play, which is different from any other team.”
Johnny Hunter also started in the youth flag football ranks, playing every season among his friends as their spike sizes grew along with the number attached to their educational classes.
“JDHS football has brought me another family throughout the years,” Hunter said. “Throughout all those years you make a lot of memories with your coaches and especially the players that you grew up with. That is, and will always be, special.”
JDHS cheer manager Alexa Scarano and cheer exchange student Theresa Weighardt are also being feted. Scarano plans to major in kinesiology, spending her first two years at the University of Alaska Southeast. She plans to go to med school to become a sports physician.
“My favorite memory this year was spending my last month cheering with my best friends at our UCA camp before season started,” Scarano said. “I want to thank my coaches, especially Carlene. Thank you for believing in me and pushing me to work hard and strive to be the best I can be. You have taught me to be resilient, strong, and always give 100% effort no matter what I do…Thank you to my friends and my family for supporting me through the long weeks that were worth it, but I will always be grateful for the opportunities this program gave me.”
Weighardt plans to travel the world, experience different cultures, meet new people, try new foods, and see as much of nature as she can. Her favorite memories are cheering with the younger cheerleaders during a game and seeing them look up to her. She will also remember cheering in Goatland while the players run through the tunnel and the cheer team pushing themselves to do their best.
Weighardt said "Thank you so much for everything you made possible for me and for all the support I got."
Bartlett will also want to honor their seniors. The Golden Bears upperclassmen include Sithri Fainuulelei, Michael Burke, Livai Ofiu, Juhzeel Ehwing, McDellienne Muasau, Colt Jardine, Christian Goodson, Torriano Tinai-Moevao, Daniel Sabogal, Abraham Toeta, Jordan Senquiz, Simon Simi, Shalon Siaosi, Jonah Sagato and Alton Drones.
Bartlett coach Deemer said, “This season has shown me that our players are willing to compete through adversity and continue working to improve, regardless of the circumstances. As a first-year coaching staff, we have challenged them to embrace accountability, discipline, and a team-first mindset. The way they have responded gives me confidence that we are building a strong foundation for the future of the program.”
ALL ALASKA POLL (Cook Inlet, Railbelt, Mid Alaska)
1. Lathrop (Fairbanks - RBC 6-0) 7-0; 2. Soldotna (Soldotna - RBC 5-1) 5-2; 3. West (Anchorage - CIC 6-0) 6-1; 4. South (Anchorage - CIC 5-1) 5-2; 5. Juneau-Douglas (Juneau - CIC 3-3) 4-3; 6. Palmer (Palmer - RBC 4-2) 5-2; 7. Wasilla (Wasilla - RBC 4-2) 5-2; 8. Colony (Palmer - CIC 4-2) 4-3; 9. Service (Anchorage - CIC 2-4) 3-4; 10. Bettye Davis East (Anchorage - CIC 2-4) 2-5; 11. North Pole (North Pole - RBC 2-4) 2-5; 12. Bartlett (Anchorage - CIC 1-5) 2-5; 13. Chugiak (Chugiak - RBC 2-4) 3-4; 14. Kenai (Kenai - MAC 4-1) 4-2; 15. Barrow (Utqiagvik - MAC 4-1) 5-1; 16. West Valley (Fairbanks - RBC 1-5) 1-6; 17. Dimond (Anchorage - CIC 1-5) 2-5; 18. Redington (Wasilla - MAC 3-2) 3-3; 19. Eagle River (Eagle River - RBC 0-6) 0-7; 20. Homer (Homer - MAC 1-4) 1-5; 21. Houston (Big Lake - MAC 0-5) 0-5.
(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).
BIG HITS - The All Alaska Poll solidified the strength of the Railbelt Conference, with Lathrop remaining on top and, now, Soldotna moving into the number two spot — largely due to the Malemutes' early-season win over Cook Inlet Conference power South and SOHI back-to-back. JDHS stays in a solid position despite their loss at Dimond, again due to their strength of schedule and grit, that includes losses to West and South as well — but all three setbacks came with the Crimson Bears having the opportunity to win in the fourth quarter.
In the CIC this weekend, West travels to Colony and South across Anchorage to East. IF West stumbles — possible — and South melts down — very unlikely — the Knights would remain in CIC third place (they jumped ahead of JDHS with their win last week over Bartlett and JDHS’ loss to Dimond) and all above them unchanged due to early season contests. A JDHS win and Colony loss puts the Crimson Bears back into third place, nothing playoff-worthy changes except who travels to Adair-Kennedy. Bartlett would go to West. If Dimond tops Service — possible after last week’s resurgence — both would hold identical records along with East and both have beaten East. The Thunderbirds would travel to South, again. Swedish calculators have JDHS getting a rematch against Dimond and Service a rematch at Colony.
The Railbelt Conference's only shakeup will be third and fourth place playoff positions battling each other - Palmer hosts Wasilla for the right to welcome either North Pole or Chugiak in the first round — both the Moose and Warriors have already defeated the Patriots and Mustangs earlier in the season so their game is a contest over where they would like to fall in the second round — in Fairbanks (Lathrop) or on the Peninsula (SOHI). That, of course, is if the first round playoffs go as predicted.
Kenai stumbled mightily in the Mid Alaska Conference, falling to Redington, and now sits beneath Barrow on all polls as the Whalers had little challenge against Houston and reign on top of the MAC. The MAC playoffs could be shaken up if Redington wins their final game against Houston — likely — and Kenai stumbles again, against Homer — unlikely. But if both happened Redington would hold the tiebreaker and host a first rounder against Kenai instead of traveling to the Kardinals field.
The Denali Conference should pass quietly into their own playoffs next weekend as the Student Wrestler Development Program should topple second-place Kodiak and end the regular season undefeated and host Seward the following week — as Seward faces winless Valdez Saturday. Monroe, who has defeated Kodiak week’s ago, might have made the playoffs if beating Nikiski on Saturday — but that means the Seahawks would have to lose to the Buccaneers and no one has this season. If the Bulldogs top the Rams they still will sit in third and travel to Kodiak and the island Bears have already bitten the Bulldogs. So the Seahawks will leave the Seward harbor and have to fly to Fairbanks (SWDP) for the first round.
STANDINGS/ WEEK 7 SCORES / WEEK 8 GAMES
DI COOK INLET
1. West (6-0, 6-1); 2. South (5-1, 5-2); 3. Colony (4-2, 4-3); 4. JDHS (3-3, 4-3); 5. Service (2-4, 3-4); 6. East (2-4, 2-5); 7. Bartlett (1-5, 2-5); 8 - Dimond 1-5, 2-5).
Week 7 Scores:
Fri: West 39, East 0
Sat: South 24, Service 0
Sat: Colony 21, Bartlett 19
Sat: Dimond 28, JDHS 27
Week 8 Games:
Fri: Dimond 2-5 (overall) vs Service 3-4 / Service 88% Chance To Win, Projected Score 40-20
Fri: Colony 4-3 vs West 6-1 / West 92% CTW, PS 34-12
Sat: East 2-5 vs South 5-2 / South 94% CTW, PS 27-3
Sat: Bartlett 2-5 vs Juneau-Douglas 4-3 / Juneau 87% CTW, PS 31-14
DII RAILBELT
1. Lathrop (6-0, 7-0); 2. Soldotna (5-1, 5-2); 3. Palmer (4-2, 5-2); 4. Wasilla (4-2, 5-2); 5. North Pole (2-4, 2-5); 6. Chugiak (2-4, 3-4); 7. West Valley (1-5, 1-6); 8. Eagle River (0-6, 0-7).
Week 7 Scores:
Fri: Lathrop 41, Wasilla 14
Fri: Soldotna 47, Palmer 14
Fri: North Pole 23, Chugiak 6
Sat: West Valley 65, Eagle River 0
Week 8 Games:
Fri: Lathrop 7-0 vs West Valley 1-6 / Lathrop 99% CTW, PS 48-3
Fri: Chugiak 3-4 vs Soldotna 5-2 / Soldotna 99% CTW, PS 44-3
Fri: Palmer 5-2 vs Wasilla 5-2 / Wasilla 61% CTW, PS 26-21
Sat: Eagle River 0-7 vs North Pole 2-5 / North Pole 97% CTW, PS 38-7
DIII MID ALASKA
1. Barrow (5-1, 5-1); 2. Kenai (4-1, 4-2); 3. Redington (3-2, 3-3); 4. Homer (1-4, 1-5); 5. Houston (0-5, 0-5).
Week 7 Scores:
Fri: Redington 24, Kenai 19
Sat: Barrow 62, Houston 6
Week 8 Games:
Fri: Houston 1-5 vs Redington 3-3 / Redington 98% CTW, PS 48-14
Sat: Homer 1-5 vs Kenai 4-2 / Kenai 98% CTW, PS 42-7
D2-D3 Poll:
1. Lathrop 7-0 at West Valley 1-6
2. Soldotna 5-2 vs Chugiak 3-4
3. Palmer 5-2 vs Wasilla 5-2
4. Wasilla 5-2 at Palmer 5-2
5. Kenai 4-4 at Homer 1-5
DENALI 9-MAN
1. Student Wrestler Development Program (7-0); 2. Kodiak (5-2); 3. Nikiski (4-3); 4. Seward (3-4); 5. Monroe (2-5); 6. Valdez (0-7).
Week 7 Scores:
Fri: Nikiski 48, Seward 8
Fri: Monroe 64, Kodiak 54
Sat: SWDP 92, Valdez 0
Week 8 Games:
Fri: Kodiak 5-2 vs SWDP 7-0 / SWDP 97% CTW, PS 48-19
Sat: Monroe 2-5 vs Nikiski 4-3 / Nikiski 72% CTW, PS 46-38
Sat: Seward 3-4 vs Valdez 0-7 / Seward 98% CTW, PS 52-17
ALASKA SPORTS REPORT - Athlete of the Week
Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé senior Kai Mangaccat was runner-up in the Alaska Sports Report’s Athlete of the Week selection. The Crimson Bears’ senior ran the second-fastest time in the state this season last Saturday, winning the girls Division I Region V cross country championship in a time of 18:29 to lead the Crimson Bears to the team title. She won by an impressive 1:40, despite slippery conditions to defend her region title.
Dimond senior football player Braden Pili was selected the ASR’s AOW throwing for a school-record 409 yards and finishing with 483 yards of total offense and four touchdowns to go with 10 tackles on defense to lead the Lynx to a 28-27 victory over fifth-ranked JDHS. Alaska Sports Hall of Fame executive director Harlow Robinson noted that Pili is the fourth Pili family member to win AOW since the selection process was started seven years ago. Other families with more than one AOW include Palmer’s Colony High School wrestlers Caleb and Levi Hopkins, Sitka baseball players Bryce and Caleb Calhoun, and Mt. Marathon mother and son title winners Christy and Coby Marvin (Colony H.S.) from Palmer.
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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