Monroe Catholic football tops Nikiski

Published 10:30 pm Friday, September 12, 2025

The host Monroe Catholic football team defeated Nikiski 36-12 on Saturday in Denali Conference play.

The Rams move to 1-0 in the league and 2-2 overall, while the Bulldogs are 1-1 in the league and 1-3 overall.

“Overall we played hard and we will grow from this — we made a few too many mistakes and they capitalized on them and earned the win,” Nikiski head coach Mark Smith wrote in a text message.

Smith wrote the Bulldogs had four fumbles — two on kickoff returns — and two interceptions.

The Bulldogs fumbled the opening kickoff and Monroe scored on that drive, leading 8-0 after the first quarter.

In the second quarter, Rex Wittmer had a 19-yard scoring run to cut the gap to 8-6 at the half.

With 4 minutes, 56 seconds, left in the third quarter, Rams quarterback Ryan Mavencamp had a 2-yard run for a score, then Mavencamp hit James Trieglaff for the two-point conversion and a 16-6 lead.

In the fourth quarter, Trieglaff scored on a 6-yard run with 9:34 left for a 22-6 lead.

The Bulldogs responded when Mason Doth caught a 25-yard scoring pass from Ryder Maguire for a 22-12 game with 5:23 left.

Brayden Washburn returned an interception for a touchdown with 1:58 left and Tristan Nicholson ran in the conversion. Isaiah Snow then returned a fumble for a touchdown in the final minute.

Smith wrote that Sloan Wittmer played well on the defensive line, while Ryder Maguire also had a great effort on defense. The coach added that Kaiden Parrish had a big interception to keep the Bulldogs in the game in the second half.

The Bulldogs now have a bye before traveling to face Seward at 5 p.m. Friday, Sept. 26.