Soldotna coach Galen Brantley Jr. is Alaska’s winningest high school football coach. Photo by Stephanie Burgoon/Alaska Sports Report
For the Soldotna and Star Valley football teams to realize what each other is facing when they meet on Saturday afternoon, all either team must do is look in the mirror.
The resemblance is striking.
Since 2023, the Class 3A Braves of Afton, Wyo., have lost only one game, just like Soldotna; and the Stars have won three straight state titles, just like Star Valley. Both teams have averaged more than 40 points over the last three years and will put long winning streaks on the line when they collide at Soldotna High School.
“This is definitely the biggest jump in competition for us,” said Soldotna coach Galen Brantley Jr..
Prep Football
Week 3
Thursday
Kodiak vs. SWDP
Friday
East at Oakmont (CA)
Dimond at Homer
Kenai at Wasilla
Redington at Chugiak
Palmer at Colony
Eagle River at Service
Bartlett at West Valley
Saturday
Star Valley (WY) at Soldotna
Valdez at Seward
Nikiski at Monroe
South at Lathrop
Barrow at Houston
West at Heritage (CO)
North Pole at Juneau
This will be the season opener for Star Valley, which is marching toward a fifth straight championship. The Braves are ranked No. 1 in the state of Wyoming, according to USA Today and MaxPreps, and bring a program-record 33-game winning streak to Soldotna.
“These guys didn’t shy away from that,” Star Valley coach McKay Young told the Star-Tribune after the 2025 state title game about the three-year unbeaten streak. “They embraced it and used it as motivation.”
Star Valley returns five all-state players, led by the wide receiver duo of Roman Erickson and Travis Thomson, who combined to make eight receptions for 175 yards in last season’s state title game. However, starting quarterback Phoenixx Hovey graduated so the Braves will feature a new signal caller when they take the field in Alaska.
Nevertheless, Brantley isn’t taking anything for granted.
“They run a multiple offense and are very balanced run and pass,” he said. “They run a 3-4 base defense. They have creatures everywhere and don’t have a weakness in any of the three phases.”
Roman Erickson is an all-state wideout for the Star Valley Braves. Photo courtesy of Hudl
Soldotna enters Saturday’s game riding a 15-game winning streak after beating Wasilla and West Valley to start the season, outscoring them 98-33 behind a vaunted rushing attack that’s averaging 325 yards per game.
The Stars run their famed wing-T formation, which thrives on power and deception. And discipline, and nobody does it better. On every play, they got backs going left and right and straight ahead. They fake second- and third-level defenders off the play, making it a difficult offense to stop because it’s tough to know who to stop.
In Week 1, running back Eli Richards accounted for four touchdowns. In Week 2, all-state fullback Chase Hall found the end zone six times and rumbled for 193 yards.
Soldotna also features standouts such as 250-pound two-way stud Koda Lepule, a four-year starter and the state’s returning Division II Lineman of the Year.
Also anchoring the line are Matthew Innes and all-state tackle and nose guard Carter Hillyer. The defensive backfield is keyed by Ethan Cooper and all-state safety Zack Kemp.
The Stars are averaging 53 points per game since 2023. Photo by Stephanie Burgoon/Alaska Sports Report
Week 3 in Alaska is typically saved for non-league games and Soldotna wanted a face a Lower 48 opponent and connected with Star Valley.
“We were looking to travel out and just found Star Valley had the same open week,” Brantley said.
As a bonus, the Braves were willing to travel north, creating the biggest game on the Peninsula in many years.
“There has been a build up to it in our community for sure,” said Brantley, Alaska’s all-time winningest coach with 178 wins.
This is one of three Alaska vs. Lower 48 games this weekend, with East Anchorage traveling to Roseville, Calif., to face the Oakmont Vikings and West Anchorage traveling to Littleton, Colo., to play the Heritage Eagles.
