Derryk Snell
Chugiak’s Derryk Snell took the field for today’s FCS national championship game and brought the state of Alaska with him.
The Montana State University sophomore tight end grabbed two receptions, converted two first downs and set up a field goal in a 38-10 loss to North Dakota State in Frisco, Texas.
Montana State was back in the FCS (NCAA Division I-AA) title game for the first time since 1984.
Snell, of Chugiak High fame, finished with 29 yards on his two catches, including a 17-yard catch on 2nd-and-7 to give Montana State a first down early in the third quarter.
His big play moved Montana State into Bison territory, setting up a 26-yard field goal to get the Bobcats on the board.
In addition to Snell, the Bobcats also feature Anchorage’s Jackson Harmon, a freshman who is redshirting as he transitions from quarterback to defensive back.
Alaska in the house!!! @derryk_snell @JacksonHarmon5 #FCSChampionship pic.twitter.com/Qqafb0msjt
— @walterharmon (@Walterharmon) January 8, 2022
Snell finished the season with 20 catches for 159 yards and one touchdown.
The former Alaska Gatorade Player of the Year played in all 15 games for Montana State (12-3), making catches in 11 of them. He posted 9-84-2 totals as a freshman.
Snell’s three career TDs are the most by a Montana State tight end from Alaska since Homer’s Scott Harry had five TDs from 1994 to 1997.
LUJAN TO OC
Zach Lujan
Anchorage’s Zach Lujan played for longtime South Dakota State head coach John Stiegelmeier and he coached for him.
Now he’ll call plays for him.
Stiegelmeier this week promoted Lujan to offensive coordinator as he reshuffled his coaching staff after two assistants left to accept head coaching jobs elsewhere.
“The four coaches I am promoting have worked hard and are more than ready to assume a bigger role,” said Stiegelmeier, who just completed his 25th season. “I look forward to seeing the positive impact they have on our SDSU football family.”
Excited for this next opportunity with a special group! #GoJacks https://t.co/VT0RMBDOcj
— Zach Lujan (@CoachLujan) January 7, 2022
Lujan will continue to serve as quarterbacks coach while he’s OC.
He played QB at SDSU from 2014 to 2016 and posted a 10-5 record as a starter. He finished his career with 29 TD passes and 3,877 yards.
Lujan, of South High fame, began his coaching career in 2018 as running backs coach before moving over to mentor the QBs a year later.
LANGDON HEADS TO NFL
Trista Langdon
Trista Langdon of Anchorage has already been to the NBA.
Now she’s headed to the NFL.
Langdon, 42, has been hired by the Washington Football Team and will serve as the organization’s Senior Vice President of Operations and Guest Experience.
Before joining the Washington Football Team, she had spent nearly 20 years in a variety of leadership roles with the Charlotte Hornets.
“Trista is an exceptional people leader whose strong operational knowledge coupled with decades of experience executing high-profile entertainment, sports events, and a 365-day venue, will enhance our stadium experience on all fronts,” said Washington Football Team President Jason Wright.
In Charlotte, she served as Vice President of Arena Events and Operations and was responsible for the day-to-day operations of the 19,000-seat arena
As part of Washington’s executive leadership team, Langdon will be responsible for ensuring an excellent end-to-end stadium experience at the 82,000-seat FedExField.
“I’m very excited to join the incredible team supporting this iconic brand at such a pivotal point in the team’s history,” she said.
Langdon, of East High fame, holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of Nevada in Reno, where she also played basketball.