Home, sweet home

The Crimson Bears came from behind to defeat last year’s small schools state runner-up; the Falcons limited a much-deeper South Anchorage to three points.

For both teams, there’s room for improvement this weekend.

The Thunder Mountain High School football team will try to secure its first win of the season tonight at TMHS field in the first home game of the season. The Kodiak Bears do battle with the Falcons at 7 p.m. The Bears, which share the Northern Lights Conference with Soldotna, Palmer, Kenai Central and Eagle River, failed to reach the playoffs last season at 4-4.

They prevailed against Homer in Week 1 this season: 21-8.

“They played a good game,” TMHS coach Randy Quinto said of Kodiak. “They have a quarterback who can throw the ball, they run a spread offense … they’re a hard-nosed team and you can’t take anybody for granted.”

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Twenty-three hours later, on Saturday at 6 p.m., Juneau-Douglas High School hosts conference opponent Ketchikan.

The Kings didn’t make it to the postseason last year at 2-6.

Only the top two teams from the Southeast Conference qualify for the state medium school playoffs.

“They’re going to be physical up front, they are quick off the line, they have some speed, they have an experienced quarterback,” JDHS coach Kevin Hamrick said. “It’s not that much different (than Houston).”

JDHS beat Ketchikan twice last year, winning 25-22 in Week 4, and 24-20 in Week 7.

They’ll rematch the Kings this season in three weeks in Ketchikan.

Quarterback thoughts

TMHS will get back its starting quarterback, Owen Mendoza, for tonight’s showdown with Kodiak. The senior right-hander played baseball for Juneau Post 25 through the first week of football season. Now, with the mandated 10 days of practice behind him, Mendoza’s ready to give it all he has.

“I’m pretty confident that if we all play like we should, and we play to our potential, we should end up doing well,” Mendoza said earlier this season.

As a backup quarterback last season to then-senior Cale Jenkins, Mendoza filled in against North Pole for Jenkins, who was out with an injury. The Falcons defeated the Patriots 22-20 that game.

Mendoza, along with the rest of his offense, will put their endurance to the test in Quinto’s up-tempo system.

“The tempo is really quick and we get the ball out fast and we go for home runs more,” Mendoza said. “We go for the big play mostly, that’s what its designed for.”

JDHS senior quarterback Bubba Stults said last weekend’s Houston game, though a win, was a wake-up call for everyone.

“We can pull some good things out of that game, but most of it was bad,” Stults said. “We’ve been working harder in practice, our linemen have been working harder. It’s great to see. You feel good as a quarterback when they are trying as hard as they are.”

Changing personnel

Like JDHS, the Falcons will be without several key linemen. Coach Quinto expects them back this season, but not in time for this week’s game.

With fewer players to rotate in on offense, Quinto says he may have to slow the pace of the game down.

“In the South game, we were running both no-huddle offenses, so the speed and pace of the game were super fast,” Quinto said. “I actually had to slow it down because it was too fast … our guys were getting tired.”

The Crimson Bears, while losing some bigger players, will add two skilled seniors in Kasey Watts and Donavin McCurley. They will add experience and versatility for JDHS.

“Any time you get two quality players, that adds to your depth,” Hamrick said. “So a couple of my younger guys have been pushed down to second string, but that’s OK, because, with that kind of talent, you just have to put it on the field.”

Around the state

Most teams in the state are in action this weekend, including Soldotna, who last Friday won their 50th straight victory, a 21-0 win over East Anchorage. The Stars play Dimond on Saturday. Other notable medium and large schools matchups Friday and Saturday include Kenai at North Pole and Eagle River at Wasilla.

Quarterback Corner

What are the keys to the game this weekend?

“Playing as a team and not getting down on each other; good blocking from the line and just solid defensive play.” – Owen Mendoza

“Definitely blocking. We got that win in Houston — barely — and it just came with the heart that we had the in the fourth quarter. – Bubba Stults

Know & Go

What: TMHS vs. Kodiak; JDHS vs. Ketchikan

Where: TMHS field; Adair-Kennedy Memorial Field

When: Friday 7 p.m.; Saturday 6 p.m.

Ticket prices

TMHS — $8 adults/$5 students, seniors

JDHS — $10/$5 students (Season passes available for $25)

Friday night forecast: 80 percent chance of rain, low: 47 degrees