West’s Davis Iloilo surpassed the 1,000-yard benchmark for the season Friday. Photo by Bryan Boyett/Alaska Sports Report
Running over everything in their path, the West Eagles resembled a runaway train Friday night.
They were unstoppable.
The offense racked up 420 yards, the defense recorded five sacks and a safety, and special teams scored on a kickoff return.
It added up to a 51-0 home win over Service in the semifinals of the ASAA Division I state playoffs.
Mason Tanoa and Davis Iloilo each rushed for two touchdowns and surpassed the century mark in yards and combined for 11 runs of 10 yards or more as the Eagles rumbled for 328 yards on the ground.
Tanoa led the way with a season-high 136 yards on 11 carries, keyed by sprints of 27, 26, 22 and 21 yards. He also scored on runs of 1 and 7 yards.
Iloilo piled up 106 yards on 11 carries and reached the 1,000-yard benchmark for the season. He had seven runs of double figures and scored on from 12 and 11 yards, pushing his season total to 1,052.
West’s Aarion Alexander (14) scored on a 58-yard kickoff return. Photo by Bryan Boyett/Alaska Sports Report
Aarion Alexander also scored twice, first on a 20-yard reception and then a 58-yard kickoff return, his second playoff TD return in as many weeks.
And then there was West’s dominating defense, a gnarly group that would put any offense in a bad mood. The Eagles (9-2) shut out Service for the second time as West swept the season series by a combined score of 92-0.
On the first play of the game, Jordan Muasau and Christian Faletoi set the tone by swarming the Service backfield and stuffing running back Jayden Schmidkofer for a two-yard loss.
On Service’s next possession, West’s Zephaniah Sailele had a hand in back-to-back sacks, including a solo number on third down.
In the second quarter, the Eagles gang tackled Service quarterback Jonathon Tautua in the end zone for a safety. Later in the quarter, defensive back Dylan Sanders broke up a pass to save a TD.
West’s Dylan Sanders breaks up a pass intended for Service’s Chris Thompson. Photo by Bryan Boyett/Alaska Sports Report
From head to toe, the West defense looked like a million bucks.
The Eagles hope Friday was a dress rehearsal for the big game as West advanced to next Saturday’s First National Bowl against the Bartlett/South winner in the other D1 semifinal.
West quarterback Azariah Atonio amassed 111 yards of total offense, including 92 in the air. He threw two TD passes, one to Alexander and a 14-yarder to Aaron Hampton.
Kicker Calin Crowley went 7-for-7 on extra points and converted an onside kick after lofting a perfect pooch in the first quarter that bounced away from the Service return man, allowing West’s Nash Teater to dive in for the recovery.
Six plays later, Iloilo scored on a 12-yard run as West’s lead swelled to 14-0 with 2:33 left in the first quarter.
The Eagles put the game away with a 23-point second quarter, highlighted by nine points in 16 seconds.
Faletoi and Tanao teamed up for a safety after tackling Tautua in the end zone at the 6:38 mark.
West’s Christian Faletoi eyes Service quarterback Jonathon Tautua. Photo by Bryan Boyett/Alaska Sports Report
On the ensuing kickoff, Alexander took it to the house after zig zagging his way through the defense before cutting back to the right sideline.
A week ago, Alexander scored on a 92-yard kickoff return. It was another big day for the defense and special teams for the Eagles.
Meanwhile, Service’s offense sputtered with only 53 yards in the first half and 188 for the game.
The Cougars put together a 54-yard drive at the end of the second quarter, but it stalled at the 10-yard line after Sanders knocked away a pass intended for Chris Thompson that prevented a score.
Service had minimal success moving the ball behind Schmidkofer, who rushed 33 times for 104 yards. But it was slow going.
This was the fourth 100-yard game of the season for Schmidkofer, a diminutive dynamo who gave up close to 100 pounds to the West defensive linemen.
Service’s Jayden Schmidkofer rushed for 104 yards. Photo by Bryan Boyett/Alaska Sports Report
Tautua finished with just 44 yards and top receiver Caleb Wahlman was held without a catch. Wahlman did convert a first down with a 14-yard run and on defense made a red-zone interception.
The tough loss shouldn’t overshadow Service’s bounce back season that saw the Cougars win a playoff game and finish 5-5 after winning a total of three games in the previous two seasons combined.
Service 0 0 0 0 – 0
West 14 23 7 7 – 51
FIRST QUARTER
West – Tanoa 1 run (Crowley kick)
West – Iloilo 12 run (Crowley kick)
SECOND QUARTER
West – Alexander 20 pass from Atonio (Crowley kick)
West – Safety, Tautua tackled in end zone
West – Alexander 58 kickoff return (Crowley kick)
West – Iloilo 11 run (Crowley kick)
THIRD QUARTER
West – Tanoa 7 run (Crowley kick)
FOURTH QUARTER
West – Hampton 14 pass from Atonio (Crowley kick)