WASILLA — During their first three meetings with Nikiski, the Redington Huskies were outscored a combined 114-6 in a trio of losses to the Bulldogs. Friday, the Huskies used a monster second half to flip the script in the nonconference matchup of Division III teams.
Redington scored 24 unanswered points during the final two quarters and posted a 30-12 win over the Bulldogs at Redington Jr./Sr. High School.
“They had a good first half. The second half was ours,” Redington head coach Matt Weinberger said after the win.
Sophomore quarterback Wayde Bowman threw three touchdown passes and ran for another to help the fourth-year program beat Nikiski for the first time in four varsity meetings. Weinberger said scoring that type of win over a Nikiski program that has had a solid amount of success against the Huskies is a great way for his team to start the 2019.
“That was big for us,” Weinberger said.
Weinberger also praised his team’s play during the second half. In past years, Weinberger said, the Huskies would typically run into trouble during the final two quarters. But despite trailing 12-6 at the break, the Huskies put together a big second half.
“The team responded really well,” Weinberger said.
Sophomore Jaden Spaulding erupted for 152 of his 153 yards in the second half, and rushed for a 22-yard score in the fourth quarter. Early in the third, Bowman broke away for a 24-yard touchdown run to tie the score at 12. On the first play of the ensuing Nikiski drive, Redington’s Mason Brouillet recovered a fumble. Six plays later, Bowman and Samuel Pinard connected on a 4-yard scoring pass, and the Huskies never looked back.
Spaulding scored his second touchdown of the game early in the third. Redington iced the game with Jahzeah Williams’ 28-yard catch and run for a score with about six minutes left in regulation.
In all, Redington compiled 408 yards of total offense.
“We knew we would be explosive on offense,” Weinberger said.
Weinberger said he also liked the balance on offense. Redington rushed for nearly 300 yards. Bowman finished 10 of 17 for 108 yards and three scores in the passing game.
The defense also stepped up, particularly in the second half, Weinberger said. Redington recovered a pair of fumbles on defense, and another on special teams.
“Those win you games,” Weinberger said.
Redington also held Nikiski to just 20 yards of total offense in the second half.
Nikiski used a pair of touchdowns during a four-minute stretch to take the lead at halftime. Sam Berry returned a fumble 19 yards for a touchdown with 4:10 left in the second to tie the score at 6. Nikiski took its first lead on the final play of the first half. Noah Litke connected with Michael Mysing on a 17-yard touchdown pass with 0.2 seconds left in the second quarter.
Contact Frontiersman managing editor Jeremiah Bartz at sports@frontiersman.com.
Redington 30, Nikiski 12
Friday, Redington
First quarter
No scoring
Second quarter
Redington — Spaulding 10 pass from Bowman (pass failed) 9:05
Nikiski — Berry 19 fumble return (kick failed) 4:10
Nikiski — Mysing 17 pass from Litke (kick blocked) 0:02.
Third quarter:
Redington — Bowman 24 run (pass failed) 8:01
Redington — Pinard 4 pass from Bowman (pass failed) 5:12
Fourth quarter:
Redington — Spaulding 22 run (pass failed) 9:44
Redington — Williams 28 pass from Bowman (run failed) 6:18
INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS:
RUSHING — Nikiski: Mysing 7-48, McCoughey 4-18, Berry 4-6, Litke 2-(-1), Dreusdow 1-(-3); Redington: Spaulding 19-153, Pau 17-64, Bowman 7-36, Miller 5-17, Williams 4-30, Pinard 1-(-2).
PASSING — Nikiski: Litke 4-8-0—59; Redington: Bowman 10-17-0—108.
RECEIVING — Nikiski: Berry 2-13, Eiter 1-29, Mysling 1-17; Redington: Spaulding 4-24, Williams 3-47, Jacko 1-23, Reape 1-10, Pinard 1-4.
