In a rematch of a Mid-Conference gridiron clash on Saturday, Homer fell short to the Barrow Whalers 22-6.

Barrow improves to 5-2 overall, rebounding from a loss from Kenai to build to a 4-1 record in conference. Meanwhile, the loss sets the Mariners back to .500, sitting at 4-4 overall and 2-3 in conference record to end the regular season.

It was a sluggish offensive performance for the Mariners against the Whalers defense, with four total turnovers — two fumbles, two interceptions — and just 115 total yards.

“We weren’t executing,” Homer head coach Justin Zank said. “The weather wasn’t terrible. In the third quarter, the sun even came out.”

Homer had won its previous contest against the Whalers 38-12, but this matchup against the Whalers on their home field proved too much for the Mariners to overcome.

“Barrow played a heck of a game,” Zank said. “They’re big and physical.”

Barrow notched up a 14-0 score by halftime, and despite a last effort by the Mariners to bring the score within 10 in the fourth quarter, the Whalers held on to secure the win.

“We have to believe in ourselves is what it comes down to.” Zank said. “When things are going well, we score a bunch in the quarter … when we face adversity, we have a difficult time overcoming it.”

The No. 4 seeded Mariners look to defend their state title and travel up to Kenai next week with another rematch on deck against the No. 1 ranked Kardinals. The state semifinal game between the conference rivals kicks off at 4 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 4.