Homer Football ends season as State runner-up

Homer’s Ty Gibby and Dawson Stokes collect the team’s academic award. (Photo courtesy of ASAA Facebook page)

The Homer Mariners football season came to an end Saturday with a loss to Kenai, 28-13, in the state Division III championship game. They ended the season with a 3-6 record after some tough losses early in the season.

The teams had split two games earlier in the season. Kenai beat Homer in week one 46-6, but Homer won in the quarterfinals 7-6.

Homer won the Division III Academic Award for having the highest overall grade point average of 3.3.

The championship game was played in Wasilla. Kenai scored first in the first quarter but missed the two-point conversion.

The Mariners scored off a rushing touchdown in the following possession but failed the extra point attempt.

The Kardinals scored midway through the second quarter but missed the two point conversion bringing the halftime score 12-6.

The Kardinals scored again in the third quarter and were successful in the two-point conversion.

The Mariners did not score in the third quarter, bringing the score 20-6 going into the fourth.

Homer’s senior Justus Grimes ran for a four-yard touchdown in the beginning of the fourth quarter. Junior Carter Kincaid kicked a successful extra point, closing the score to 20-13.

Homer tried to find ground for the rest of the game, but Kenai scored one last time with a successful two-point conversion.

Although the Mariners fell short of their ultimate goal of three-peating as champions, their journey to the state game showed how much the team grew throughout the season.

The Mariners struggled to find their footing early in the season, opening with three consecutive losses against Kenai, Barrow and Dimond. They kept fighting, though, and found their first win in week four against Houston.

The road did not get easier right away. The Mariners suffered two more losses against Redington and Barrow, leaving the team with plenty to overcome.

Homer’s determination began to show as the team picked up the win against Kenai in week seven.

They were able to keep that momentum going into the next week and won their semifinal game against Redington. This put them into the state championship.

The Mariner football team collect their state runner-up trophy. (Photo courtesy of ASAA Facebook page)

“A lot of young guys stepped up and played with a chip on their shoulders. This, combined with that feeling of finally winning, pushed us to the end,” said senior offensive guard and middle linebacker Vincent Black.

The final matchup against Kenai brought the season full circle. After defeating the Kardinals earlier in the season, Homer faced its arrival once again on the state stage. This time, however, Kenai came out on top, ending the Mariners’ championship hopes.

Although the Mariners did not finish the season with a state title, their journey proved a rough start does not have to determine the outcome of an entire season.

“I think we played hard under adversity, and we got through it. We just weren’t able to put it together in the end, but we were, as people say, in the room at the end of the day. I think we ended the season the best we could have done with the cards we were dealt,” said senior offensive tackle Brayden McClenning.