Anchorage Daily News

Dimond seniors Ryan Holta and Nolan Olson walked off the football field at Chugiak Stadium last weekend and turned in their gear along with the rest of their teammates.

All the Lynx needed was a win to make the playoffs. But a 28-point loss to East crushed Dimond's hope for its first postseason berth since 2005.

After starting the season with such promise and a 4-1 record, Dimond's three-game skid at the end disappointed coach Sonny Rodriguez so much he told his players to turn in pads, helmets and uniforms.

A text message he sent to players Monday morning changed everything.

Holta was in his U.S. government class. Olson was in psychology. They each snuck a peek at what the text read.

"We're in the playoffs!" the text said.

Holta couldn't believe it. Olson was in shock. Word spread around the school in minutes.

The Lynx had new life.

"We thought we were totally out," Olson said. "Then people said there was a possibility; then there wasn't.

"All of a sudden -- Whoa! We're in the playoffs!"

The Lynx face No. 2 South tonight at 7 in the large-school state quarterfinals at Anchorage Football Stadium. The undefeated Wolverines beat the Lynx by a touchdown three weeks ago at Dimond.

The Lynx slipped into the postseason this week after winning a tie-breaker between three other Cook Inlet Conference teams that each finished 3-4 and battled for the league's final playoff spot.

The first tie-breaker was win-loss record in head-to-head games among the four tied teams. Chugiak and Dimond were 2-1 in that scenario and West and East were 1-2.

Though Anchorage School District's tie-breaking rules fail to include that, in this case, winning records will eliminate inferior teams, officials announced Monday that Dimond won the tie-breaker because it beat Chugiak head-to-head.

"We're pretty confident in the standings," said Todd Arndt, the school district's secondary supervisor. "We feel like it was a just decision."

Waiting all day Sunday and Monday morning for an official ruling wasn't the greatest feeling, Rodriguez said. To pass the time Sunday, he called a coaches meeting -- just in case the Lynx were in.

"We didn't take any chances," he said. "We came in and watched film. I'm glad we were optimistic about it."

So then why did his players turn in their gear?

"I tried to use a little psychology," he said. "Pull the gear and hope for the best. It sure did fire them up."

The Lynx were revved up at Wednesday's practice, excited to get another shot at South.

"We have new life," Olson said. "A new opportunity."

For Holta, it means suiting up once again for the Lynx. Unlike his mentality last week after losing to East 48-20, the wide receiver is hoping it's not the last time he wears maroon and gold.

"We thought our season was over," he said. "We got a second chance."

---

Find Kevin Klott online at adn.com/contact/kklott or call 257-4335.

LARGE SCHOOLS

DIMOND VS. SOUTH

RECORDS: Dimond 4-4, South 8-0

TIME: 7 tonight

PLACE: Anchorage Football Stadium

LAST MEETING: South won 29-22 on Sept. 12

PLAYERS TO WATCH: Dimond WR Ryan Holta has 10 receptions for 88 yards and a TD in his last two games. South RB Marcus Spencer is averaging 116 yards a game with 4 TDs since Week 6.

THE SKINNY: South is 5-2 all-time in the playoffs and has never lost a first-round game. Dimond RB/LB Mitchel Brandt and LB Gabe Diaz were injured last week but are healthy enough to play today.

JUNEAU VS. PALMER

RECORDS: Juneau 4-4, Palmer 5-3

TIME: 7 tonight

PLACE: Machetanz Field, Palmer High

LAST MEETING: Palmer won 34-19 on Aug. 29

PLAYERS TO WATCH: Juneau RB Alex Fagerstrom averages 105 yards a game and leads the team with 9 TDs. Palmer RB Brennan Bohman leads the Moose in rushing with 643 yards.

THE SKINNY: The defending state champion Crimson Bears seek revenge after losing to Palmer on the road. Juneau leads the all-time series 12-2 and has never lost to Palmer in the postseason.

BARTLETT VS. SERVICE

RECORDS: Bartlett 5-3, Service 5-3

TIME: 2 p.m. Saturday

PLACE: Dimond Alumni Field

LAST MEETING: Bartlett won 42-27 on Sept. 26

PLAYERS TO WATCH: Bartlett RB Jamal Hale has rushed for 100-plus yards in five of eight games. Service RB Leo Aukusitino ranks No. 2 in Alaska with 1,104 yards and has scored 15 TDs.

THE SKINNY: A rematch of last week's season finale could be another offensive explosion. Service and Bartlett combined for 1,018 yards last week. Bartlett is 1-0 against Service in the playoffs.

COLONY VS. NORTH POLE

RECORDS: Colony 5-3, North Pole 8-0

TIME: 6 p.m. Saturday

PLACE: Patriot Pride Field, North Pole

LAST MEETING: North Pole won 20-16 on Aug. 9

PLAYERS TO WATCH: Colony QB Collin Murphy has thrown for 671 yards, rushed for 853 and accounted for 22 TDs. North Pole QB Lee Jones scored two late TDs to preserve the Patriots' season-opening victory over the Knights.

THE SKINNY: The Patriots are going for their second state title in program history. But history says Colony has the upper hand. The Knights are 7-3 all-time against the Patriots.

SMALL SCHOOLS

Nikiski vs. Kodiak

RECORDS: Nikiski 5-3, Kodiak 4-3

TIME: 11 a.m. Saturday

PLACE: Joe Floyd Field, Kodiak

LAST MEETING: First meeting

PLAYERS TO WATCH: Nikiski's Beau Calderwood needs 145 yards to become the fifth RB in Alaska history to rush for 2,000 yards in a single season. Kodiak RB Gary Anthony leads the team with 329 rushing yards.

THE SKINNY: Nikiski hasn't played for a state championship since 2001 and has won two straight. Kodiak is looking to end its three-game losing skid.

HOUSTON VS. BARROW

RECORDS: Houston 5-3, Barrow 7-1

TIME: 1 p.m. Saturday

PLACE: Cathy Parker Field, Barrow

LAST MEETING: Houston won 48-14 on Sept. 1 of last year

PLAYERS TO WATCH: Houston WR Bryan Mason is 5 receptions shy from joining the exclusive 30-catch club. Barrow's Albert Gerke needs 169 passing yards to become the all-time passing leader for a small-schools QB.

THE SKINNY: Can Houston handle the low temperatures in Barrow? The National Weather Service calls for a high of 25 degrees with snow showers possible. Barrow is 4-0 at home this season.

VALDEZ VS. SOLDOTNA

RECORDS: Valdez 4-4, Soldotna 7-0

TIME: 1 p.m. Saturday

PLACE: Justin Maile Field, Soldotna

LAST MEETING: Soldotna won 53-12 in last year's state semifinals

PLAYERS TO WATCH: Valdez QB Taylor Bushong is 101 yards away from becoming the program's all-time leader in passing yards for a single season. Soldotna RB Anthony Griglione needs 443 yards to break the Stars' single-season rushing record.

THE SKINNY: The two-time defending state champion Stars have won 26-straight games. Griglione has never lost as a starter. "He's been great for us," Stars coach Galen Brantley said. "He's one of those gone-in-60-seconds guys."

KENAI VS. EIELSON

RECORDS: Kenai 5-3, Eielson 5-3

TIME: 1 p.m. Saturday

PLACE: Buck Nystrom Field, Fairbanks

LAST MEETING: Kenai won 42-10 in the 2005 state championship game

PLAYERS TO WATCH: Kenai's Billy Kiefer is the 12th RB in Kardinal history to surpass the 1,000-yard mark. Eielson QB Colten Growden needs 18 rushing yards and 160 passing yards to reach 1,000 yards in both categories.

THE SKINNY: Eielson battles its losing history to the Kardinals. The Ravens haven't beaten Kenai since 2000. The Kardinals lead the all-time series 4-1.

ADVERTISEMENT

@Nyx.AuthorDisplayName@ wrote on @Nyx.PostedAtTime@:

@Nyx.CommentBody@

@Nyx.Recommender@ @Nyx.AbuseReporter@