Anchorage Daily News

Juneau-Douglas rallied from an early 19-7 deficit to upset undefeated South 28-27 Saturday afternoon at Anchorage Football Stadium and get the chance to defend its state large school football championship.

Not surprisingly, it was a Fagerstrom affair.

Juneau's star running back Alex Fagerstrom was shut down in the backfield, so coaches switched their most versatile player to receiver. It worked; he racked up nine catches for about 160 yards on the afternoon.

But it was his brother, Eric Fagerstrom, who hauled in the game winner. He snagged a short pass from Juneau quarterback Dakota Smith in the middle of the field, and Joe Slagle kicked the extra point to provide the margin of victory with less than a minute to play.

Players mobbed the field after the game, tossing their helmets in the air in celebration.

"All our coaches said was keep our heads up and we're going to the air," Juneau defensive star Jack Perkins said afterward.

That they did. Juneau quarterback Dakota Smith completed 17 of 32 passes for 283 yards and just one interception. In the second half, Juneau went to shotgun formation and threw repeatedly.

Juneau (6-4) will meet Service (7-3) in the big schools championship game next Saturday.

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