Juneau-Douglas hosts North Pole in playoff showdown
Crimson Bears look to avenge last year's playoff loss to the Patriots
Saturday's Alaska state quarterfinal playoff football game between visiting North Pole and Juneau-Douglas will hold special meaning for the Crimson Bears.
The game, 7 p.m. at Adair-Kennedy Memorial Park, is a rematch of last year's state semifinal, in which the Patriots topped JDHS 58-30 on their way to a state championship.
North Pole (4-4, 3-3 Railbelt) enters Saturday's game as the Railbelt Conference's fourth-seed. The Patriots needed a 40-19 win over West Valley in last weekend's regular-season finale to solidify a playoff spot.
The Patriots averaged 26.2 points per game this season, but gave up 32.3 points per game.
North Pole defeated Service, Wasilla, Lathrop and West Valley this season.
jdhs football
alaska state quarterfinals
who: north pole at jdhs
when: saturday, 7 p.m.
where: adair-kennedy memorial park
what's at stake: saturday's winner faces either east or bartlett next weekend in the state semifinal round in anchorage.
While the Patriots enter Saturday's game with a .500 record, they did give JDHS its toughest in-state battle this year.
The Crimson Bears (7-1, 6-0) needed a big second half to top host North Pole 36-13 on Aug. 28.
North Pole's Jacob Borkovec rushed for two touchdowns and Ricky Culver intercepted a Chris Hinkley pass in the first half, as JDHS held a tenuous 16-13 halftime lead.
Borkovec led North Pole in rushing with 71 yards on 20 carries, as the team amassed 162 rushing yards.
JDHS, however, controlled the second half. Tres Saldivar finished with 210 rushing yards and two touchdowns in the win.
North Pole is led by coach Buck Nystrom, who has more wins than any other coach in Alaska history.
With Nystrom at the helm, expect the Patriots to be disciplined, prepared and looking to run.
Juneau-Douglas must shut down the Patriots' rushing game and force North Pole to the air. The Crimson Bears' defensive line and linebackers effectiveness in combatting the Patriots' ground game may determine Saturday's outcome.
Offensively, JDHS must hit North Pole with a balanced attack.
Hinkley leads Alaska in passing touchdowns and yardage after completing 111-of-175 passes for 1,728 yards, 27 touchdowns and six interceptions. Hinkley averages 216 yards per game.
On the ground, Saldivar is nearing the 1,000-yard mark. The senior tailback has rushed for 971 yards and nine touchdowns on 103 carries, good for an average of 9.4 yards per carry.
Senior Josh Lehauli has 818 combined rushing and receiving yards.
The Bears are entering this game a bit banged up. Senior lineman Joe Monagle broke two bones in his left hand last Saturday and will play with a cast.
The winner of Saturday's contest faces either East Anchorage or Bartlett next weekend in Anchorage.
• Tim Nichols, sports editor, can be reached at sports@juneauempire.com