The Kenai Central football team lost 18-12 in overtime to host Barrow on Saturday in a rematch of the Division III state title game
The Kardinals are now 0-1 in the Mid Alaska Conference and 1-1 overall, while the Whalers are 1-0 and 1-1.
Kenai played Barrow three times last season, losing in Barrow, winning at Kenai, then winning the Division III state title game 20-8.
Kenai will host Yreka High School from Yreka, California, on Friday, Aug. 30, at 6 p.m. The team is coached by John Marquez, the former coach for Kenai. The school has about 650 students, with Kenai Central having about 200 fewer students.
This will be the season opener for the Miners, who finished 5-5 last season.
Nikiski 46, Monroe Catholic 24
The Bulldogs bounced back from a season-opening loss to Seward by winning a nonconference contest in Fairbanks.
Both teams are in the nine-man Denali Conference, but the conference game will be Sept. 20 at Nikiski.
Senior quarterback Ethan Ellis had a rushing touchdown and passing touchdowns to senior Kevin Love and sophomore Ryder Maguire.
Senior Oliver Parrish had a pair of rushing touchdowns, while sophomore Kaiden Parrish added a rushing touchdown.
Nikiski head coach Matt Trammell said the team still has to clean up things like penalties and fumbles.
Trammell said Nikiski was able to pull the starters in the second half with a big lead and that it’s always positive to get young players experience.
The Bulldogs host Valdez, which is 1-1, at noon on Saturday in a nonconference contest.
“Valdez has been steadily improving over the last two seasons,” Trammell wrote. “They were a much better team toward the end of last season and judging by film, they are still trending upwards.
“Should be a formidable test for Saturday.”
Seward 64, Valdez 8
The visiting Seahawks improved to 2-0 overall with the win at Valdez, now 1-1.
The teams will play their Denali Conference game Sept. 21 at Seward.
Seward head coach Tyler Mallory said the game was called at the start of the fourth quarter due to a Valdez injury.
“I think we played really well,” Mallory said. “We didn’t take last week’s win and just walk away with it. We continue to work hard in practice.”
Brett Gilmore threw for three touchdowns for the Seahawks, while Noah Price ran for two. Hunter Forshee-Kurtz scored on a punt return and a kick return.
Mallory also said Jack Gardner had a great game on the offensive and defensive lines.
The Seahawks travel to Monroe Catholic for a noon game on Saturday, Aug. 31. The Rams are 0-2.
“They’ve got to learn football, because they’re a little bit new,” Mallory said of Monroe Catholic. “They’re going to continue to improve.
“We’ve got to go in ready because we know everybody’s trying to beat us.”
