His football team uses a smashmouth style to run over opponents at a historic rate, but Soldotna High coach Galen Brantley Jr. walks with quiet confidence.

Hungry yet humble, commanding but not cocky, Brantley has an easygoing excellence about him like he knows his team is going to win every game – and it usually does.

Since he took over in 2008, the Stars have posted a 159-9 record and won 14 ASAA Division II state titles in 17 seasons.

Last week on the road, Soldotna beat Idaho’s Teton Timberwolves 35-7 at Holt Arena in Pocatello to move the Stars to 3-0 on the season and Brantley into a tie with former Palmer coach Rod Christiansen for the most wins in Alaska history.

A win Friday against West Valley (3-0) on homecoming would make Brantley the king of kings as the outright record holder.

“To be honest with you, I just don’t really care for any of the attention that I’ve gotten for it,” Brantley told Jeff Helminiak of the Peninsula Clarion.

Brantley, a former Soldotna player and 1993 graduate, got to 159 victories in 18 seasons while it took Christiansen 28 seasons (1990-2018).

“I feel like a turtle on a fencepost. Other people put me there,” Brantley said. “I’ve had phenomenal assistant coaches over the years, and players. I feel like I’m just a part of the success the program has had.”

Not for nothing, but West Valley coach David DeVaughn ranks fourth all-time with 147 wins – three behind Buck Nystrom for No. 3 on the all-time list – and brings to Soldotna a team good enough to rain on the Stars’ parade. The Wolfpack beat Barrow, Eagle River and Homer by a combined score of 106-20.

UPDATE: Brantley got the record after Soldotna won 57-21