Mariners sink Hawks in homecoming victory

With the volume of the cheers from the blue-and-gold clad fans, it wasn’t necessary to be at Saturday’s homecoming game to know the Mariners had beat the Houston Hawks. Being there made the 17-6 victory even better, however.

“Lots of fans in the stands always makes for a great atmosphere,” said Mariner Head Coach Josh Fraley.

“And the team wanted to finish strong. It was important for the entire team, especially the seniors, to finish the way they did. They were happy for that.”

The first quarter, the Mariners focused on establishing a tempo for the game, something they struggled with in recent match-ups.

“When you establish a good running game and get the linemen blocking correctly and everybody running hard and a rhythm going, it makes things so much easier,” said Fraley.

Once that was done, the Mariners “were able to move the ball down the field pretty easily.”

The Mariners defense also rose to the occasion, “playing great and getting us the ball back,” said Fraley.

The game was not without its challenges, however, with penalty problems slowing down the forward-motion Fraley was hoping to establish.

“A lot of them were our guys just playing tired and trying to hold people instead of getting into good position and blocking correctly,” said Fraley.

“There were a couple of really silly penalties. That kind of stuff is hard to keep a momentum going.”

The penalties also took their toll on running back Josh Fisk, “who was running his butt off and had several that got called back. He was getting frustrated.”

The shift away from Fraley’s game plan meant relying on senior quarterback Sheldon Hutt to throw the ball.

“We had to get out of the game plan we had established and that made the game go slower,” said Fraley. “But (Hutt) played really, really well, especially with the duress he was under.”

Less than halfway through the first quarter, Hutt made a touchdown pass to Teddy Croft. That, followed by a two-point conversion, put Homer ahead, 8-0.

In the second quarter Connor Seay gave the Mariners a field goal and an 11-0 lead by halftime.

Back on the field, Seay scored the second touchdown of the game for the Mariners.

“That gave a cushion I could feel comfortable enough that if we took a chance here or there defensively or offensively, we’d still be up a score,” said Fraley.

Finally, more than halfway through the third quarter, the Hawks scored their one and only touchdown, giving the game its final score of 17-6.

“It was a hard-fought game. Houston played great. They’ve had a tough season and hats off to them,” said Fraley.

In addition to Saturday’s game being the final one of the high school football season, it also was the last high school game for the team’s 10 seniors: Eric Hill, Sheldon Hutt, Ben Knisley, Isaia Kuzmin, Ulian Kuzmin, Ian Lowe, Collin MacCampbell, Patrick Rainwater, Julian Richburg and Connor Seay, as well as Head Manager Sakota Mitchell.

“We have great kids. I’m just real proud of them the way they finished,” said Fraley.

Next up for several of the seniors is an opportunity to participate in a program offered by the Shriners in Anchorage that brings together high school seniors in small and medium schools from around the state, with seniors from large schools in a separate bracket, to play in a game before college coaches on Nov. 1.

“We’re really excited about that,” said Fraley.

“There are probably five or six of our guys going, so we’re looking forward to finishing with that and having a lot of fun. … It’s a pretty awesome experience.”

The hole that 10 graduating seniors will create in next year’s lineup is a concern to Fraley.

“We’re really hoping to get some more of these boys that are in the community and get them involved in the program. Let them see how fun it is. I hope they saw some of that this year with the games in the new facility and the atmosphere we built this year,” said Fraley.

“We’ve got a good crew of juniors coming back with Fisk and (Michael) Swoboda. Good receivers. Good talent. We’re just hoping to get some more out and start building the team.”

McKibben Jackinsky can be reached at mckibben.jackinsky@homernews.com.

2014 Homer High School Homecoming Royalty

Freshman class:

Lord Ben Kettle and Lady Mia Alexson

Sophomore class:

Duke Timmy Woo and Duchess Remedy Moskios

Junior class:

Prince Les Crane and Princess Laurel Johnson

Senior class:

King Brandon Beachy and Queen Aspen Daigle

2014 Homecoming Parade Awards

Judges:

Sharon Thompson, Anita Harry, Bill Bell,
Rep. Paul Seaton, Pam Rugloski

Most Enthusiastic:

Paul Banks Elementary

Most Enthusiastic Honorable Mention:

Homer Middle School for the “Husky Howl”

Most Colorful:

Sophomore class, Kenny Cortez, class president

Blue and Gold Award:

Freshman class, Mia Alexson, class president

Best Themed Float:

Senior class, Larsen Fellows, class president

Mariner Pride (Best in Show):

Junior class, Sydney Lee, class president

Senior class: King Brandon Beachy and Queen Aspen Daigle. Beachy was in Anchorage competing in the state cross-country meet.-Photo by McKibben Jackinsky, Homer News

Junior class: Prince Les Crane and Princess Laurel Johnson-Photo by McKibben Jackinsky, Homer News

Freshman class: Lord Ben Kettle and Lady Mia Alexson-Photo by McKibben Jackinsky, Homer News

Photo by McKibben Jackinsky, Homer News

The Mariners take to the field on Saturday, led by seniors Shelton Hutt, 7; Connor Seay, 24; Ian Lowe, 13; Eric Hill, 18; Isaia Kuzman, 72; and Ulian Kuzman, 67.-Photo by McKibben Jackinsky, Homer News

Photo by McKibben Jackinsky, Homer News

Mariner Connor Seay struggles against the tight clutches of the Houston Hawks defense.-Photo by McKibben Jackinsky, Homer News

Teddy Croft, 8, scores a touchdown for the Homer Mariners in Saturday’s game against the Houston Hawks.-Photo by McKibben Jackinsky, Homer News

Josh Fisk, 32, gives the Mariners a two-point conversion in the first quarter of Saturday’s game against the Houston Hawks.-Photo by McKibben Jackinsky, Homer News