Service (Anchorage, Alaska) vs. South (Anchorage, Alaska)For the second straight year, the Alaska large school state championship game will pit two Anchorage schools head-to-head. Service lost in the championship game to West Anchorage last season after capturing the state title in 2008. The Cougars opened the season Aug. 11 in Hawaii in the "Fire and Ice Bowl," where they
tied island power Leilehua, 34-34. They have won nine straight since returning to Alaska, including a 64-21 blowout of Juneau-Douglas in last week's semifinals. Senior
Alan Busey returned the opening kickoff 92 yards for a touchdown and later had a 50-yard interception return for a touchdown in the game.
This is South's first appearance in the state championship game since winning it all in 2006. The Wolverines are 7-3 on the field this season – but 8-2 officially (thanks to their season-opening loss to Chugiak being changed to a forfeit win.) While Service invoked the 35-point mercy rule in its semifinal win against Juneau-Douglas, South just narrowly beat West (Anchorage), 30-28. The Wolverines blocked a potential game-winning 37-yard field goal in the closing minute of the game. Senior running back
Michael Wilson had 137 of South's 300 rushing yards in the game.
Mitch Stephens: Service 21, South 13
Steve Montoya: South 28, Service 20
Stephen Spiewak: Service 28, South 14
Kevin Askeland: Service 50, South 42
Jamie DeMoney: Service 35, South 10
Jamie DeMoney is National Content Manager for XOS Digital PlayerOnDemand. He has covered high school sports and recruiting for more than 15 years.
Michael Wilson and South will look for their first state title since 2006.
Photo by Carl Auer
