Nine-man football: Seward wins, Nikiski loses

Published 9:01 pm Saturday, August 23, 2025

The visiting Nikiski nine-man football team lost 50-6 to the Interior Grappling Academy on Saturday in nonconference action in Fairbanks.

The Bulldogs are 0-2, while the Interior Grappling Academy is 1-0.

Nikiski head coach Mark Smith wrote in a text message that Ryder Maguire led the only scoring drive with several nice runs, including a run for a score.

Smith wrote on offense the Bulldogs need to improve pass blocking.

“Their defensive line was really aggressive and shut down most of our inside run game,” Smith wrote.

On defense, Smith wrote the Bulldogs were burned on the edge several times.

After dressing 13 without the starting quarterback in Week 1, Nikiski had 14 without the starting center in Week 2.

“To summarize, still playing a lot of young inexperienced players and we’re finding that our team has a long way to go with their mental toughness,” Smith wrote.

Smith wrote Mason Doth, normally a receiver, stepped in at center and most of his snaps were good. Doth also played on defense.

The coach wrote another highlight was Rex Wittmer, who played both ways on the line and kept playing hard all game.

Seward 46, Monroe Catholic 8

The visiting Seahawks won the Saturday nonconference game in Fairbanks to move to 2-0 overall, while the Rams fall to 1-1.

Seward coach Tyler Mallory wrote in a text message that Emerson Cross had a great game on offense, while Cai Turner ran the ball really well.

On defense, Mallory wrote Micah Brueckner and Lane Petersen led the way.