Historically, it’s rare for Anchorage’s first measurable snowfall to accumulate like it did around town. The flakes arrived a few days earlier than the reported average.

Unlike the unpredictability of the Thursday’s wintry weather, the certainty that is Dimond High’s flag football dominance continued.

Junior quarterback Kali Hibbert rushed for two touchdowns and junior safeties Ellie Cunningham and Tatum Porter each snatched huge interceptions to lead the Lynx to a 12-6 Cook Inlet Conference championship game win over visiting West.

Dimond scored in the second and fourth quarter to secure the program’s awe-inspiring ninth title in the 16-year history of the sport.

Chugiak has won three championships in that span, while West finished second for the sixth consecutive season and eighth time overall.

“First, I have to give all the credit to our coaches,” said Hibbert, who scored on runs of 1- and 2-yards. “We just always have had hard-working girls who have always been willing to give it their all.

“We don’t really talk history or success. We just know we want to win.”

Dimond won the sport’s biggest prize on its own Winchester Field at Dimond Alumni Stadium and finished with a 16-2 record. The Lynx sport a 204-50 all-time mark – a silly .800 winning percentage.

 

The 2021 CIC crown is officially Brad Lauwers’ first as head coach. After 15 seasons, Kathleen Navarre retired from the head position when she retired as a teacher at the conclusion of last school year. She’s now a volunteer assistant.

Lauwers joined the coaching staff in 2008. Navarre, Lauwers and assistant Kristen Melican Nevala have essentially been around the entire time. The success rate is hard to match in the Alaska sports landscape.

Thursday night’s game draped itself in pressure from start to finish. The teams play 7-on-7, meaning there’s room to roam on the turf and plenty to cover defensively.

In the early moments of the second quarter, West’s offense was on the move. Cunningham won a 50-50 battle to intercept the ball on the Eagles’ 40-yard line. Minutes later, she converted a lengthy fourth-down by catching a 27-yard pass from Hibbert. The quarterback scored the evening’s first points from 1-yard out with 6 minutes, 37 seconds remaining in the half.

“Defensively, you’re (covering) up or back or out or in,” Cunningham said. “You have to guess where (the opponent) is going and adjust at the last second.

“Your mind is so all over the place.”

Hibbert scored her second touchdown at 11:10 of the fourth quarter. She passed for 58 yards, rushed for 25 and said calling her own number can be stressful.

“It’s a little nerve-racking,” Hibbert said. “It’s also a lot of fun to get my chance.”

Sophomore Mai Mateaki – the CIC Defensive Player of the Year – led the offense with 125 rushing yards on 18 carries, eclipsing the 2,000-yard barrier on the season. Mateaki and Malie Wilcox each totaled seven defensive pulls. Four of Lauren Tufaga’s six pulls went for a loss.

So many second-place finishes would seem hard to accept. But don’t tell that to West, which did the hokey pokey as a team during halftime and joyously thanked their fans after the game. Senior quarterback Lupe’lani Vaaia tossed an 8-yard touchdown pass to senior Frida Vargas with 16 seconds remaining before Dimond took one knee to run out the clock.

“We always show we’re ready to fight and stay to the end,” Vaaia said. “I’ll always be very proud of the way we stayed calm and kept our composure.”

Dimond’s 26-player roster featured 11 seniors. Now, Cunningham and 14 of her teammates are challenged with keeping up the Dimond prowess next season whether they like it or not.

“I guess so,” she said. “We’re going to have to be ready.”

 

2021 Cook Inlet Conference
Flag Football

Offensive Player of the Year: Genevieve Mahe, Service
Defensive Player of the Year: Mai Mateaki, Dimond
Punter/Kicker of the Year: Frita Vargas, West
Co-Head Coaches of the Year: Jason Calderera, Service; Matt Turner, Eagle River
Assistant Coach of the Year: Josi Schultz, Chugiak
First Team All-Conference
Quarterback: Olivia Heartwell, South; Kali Hibbert, Dimond; Genevieve Mahe, Service; Lupe’Lani Vaaia, West
Running Back: Olivia Mamae, East; Mai Mateaki, Dimond
Receiver: Juliette Adlawn, West; Ellie Cunningham, Dimond; Georgia Lantz, East; Aleah Madsen, Chugiak; Malamaisaua Mataui, Bartlett; Emily McCutcheon, East; Janessa Siavalua, West
Offensive Line: Kaiya Alaniva, Bartlett; Addison Dema, West
Defensive End/Rusher: Karson Beagley, West; Eleanor Godwin, Eagle River; Gracie Gohr, Service; Mara Chavez, Dimond; Keira Potter-Knudsen, Chugiak
Linebacker: Lauren Bodeen, Eagle River; Hannah Logoleo, East; Mai Mateaki, Dimond; Maile Wilcox, Dimond
Cornerback: Natalie Chanonto, Service; Landri Johnson, Chugiak
Safety: Alena Glover, East; Madison McDonald, South; Zoe Witter, Service