The Dimond High football team technically established a two-game winning streak against the reigning Division I state champions with a commanding 29-12 statement victory over West Anchorage on Saturday evening.
However, unlike last year when their win over the Eagles came via forfeit due to conflicting travel schedules, this year the Lynx actually earned in a head-to-head victory, marking their first win over the perennial powerhouse in a decade since the 2014 season.
“We haven’t won a homecoming game in that whole time too,” Dimond head coach Brian Yim said. “We would’ve liked a shot to play West last year. If healthy, we would’ve had a shot to beat them last year as well.”
The win was powered by another sensational outing from junior quarterback Cayden Pili, who had a hand in scoring all four of the team’s touchdowns. That included a rushing hat trick where he called his own number and connected with his top target in the passing game for the only one through the air.
“I was just doing what I do again trying to get the ball down the field, drive, score, and get all my guys the ball as much as I can, too, to get the most out of my team,” he said.
While Pili was able to pull off a hat trick, senior Josiah James, completed a rare triple crown of sorts. He hauled in a touchdown on offense, recorded an interception on defense and was crowned homecoming king at halftime.
“I was prepping mentally an insane amount before this game,” he said. “All these things were happening, all these distractions, but I was focused, and that was only because of the grace of God. I couldn’t have handled it by myself or carried it on my shoulders.”
Elsewhere in Division I gridiron action across town, the Bettye Davis East Anchorage Thunderbirds rattled off 20 straight unanswered points in the second half of another CIC clash after trailing 7-6 at halftime to keep Service from spoiling their homecoming night.
On Friday night, Bartlett dominated in a third straight victory in a blowout of Colony and South came from behind to beat Wasilla. Outside of Division I, Seward continues to reign supreme at the 9-man level with a massive blowout of Kodiak and Soldotna made history with its lopsided win over previously undefeated West Valley to remain unbeaten and make head coach Galen Brantley the winningest coach in the state’s history with a record of 160-9.
Week 4 Results
Friday
Seward 74, Kodiak 0
Soldotna 57, West Valley 21
Bartlett 36, Colony 0
Homer 16, Houston 8
South 28, Wasilla 25
Saturday
Chugiak 29, Kenai Central 7
Dimond 29, West 12
Eagle River 42, Palmer 14
East 26, Service 7