The host Homer football team defeated Kenai Central 44-0 on Friday in nonconference action.
The game matched winners of the last three Division III state championships — with Homer winning two and the Kardinals taking one. The Mariners topped the Kards last season for the title.
Homer moved to 3-0 overall as its defense continued to shine. The Mariners have given up just eight points this season. Kenai falls to 1-2.
Mariners head coach Justin Zank said it’s hard to pick out any defensive stars.
“The way they are playing right now, everybody,” Zank said.
He said the offense has gotten off to a slow start the past two games, but the defense has been solid the whole time.
“One of the defensive goals every week is to get a minimum of three guys to the ball every play, and we’re getting that,” Zank said.
In the first quarter, Nik Macauly put the Mariners up 6-0 when he scored on a 9-yard run.
With Joaquin Jackson out with an injury, Macauly got carries and Zank was happy to see Macauly take advantage of the opportunity.
In the second quarter, CJ Burns had a 17-yard scoring pass to Berend Pearson, with Burns running in the conversion for a 14-0 lead.
Justus Grimes then returned a punt 79 yards for a 20-0 lead at the half.
Zank said the offense also started slowly against Barrow.
“I don’t know what it is yet,” he said.
In the third quarter, Nikifor Reutov scored on a 2-yard plunge, with Grimes rushing in the conversion.
Burns then had a 3-yard pass to Pearson, with Grimes again running in the conversion, for a 36-0 game.
Zank said Pearson gets a lot of attention in the locker room and film room because he is the best blocking receiver, but it was nice to see him catch a few touchdowns.
Burns finished the scoring with an 18-yard rush, then the quarterback hit Emelian Melkomukov with the conversion.
Zank said the whole offensive line continued to shine, with the Mariners now over 150 yards rushing in their first three games.
For Kenai, the season is still young, and conference play hasn’t started yet.
“Team mounted a better effort than last week,” Kenai head coach Jake Brand wrote in a text message. “But they are learning a lot of lessons young players learn about penalties and general football IQ.
“If they can put together a complete game with this effort they should see better results soon.”
Homer opens Mid Alaska Conference play at Redington at 7 p.m. Friday. Zank said the Huskies have a passing offense that is very hard to stop, so this should be a great test of the defense.
Kenai also opens conference play by traveling to play Houston at 7 p.m. Friday.
Justus Grimes sprints for the end zone during the varsity game between the Homer Mariners and the Kenai Kardinals on Friday, Aug. 29, 2025, at the Homer High School football field in Homer, Alaska. (Delcenia Cosman/Homer News)
Jackson Snaric (32) goes to tackle the Kards’ Eli Smith (12) during the varsity game on Friday, Aug. 29, 2025, at the Homer High School football field in Homer, Alaska. (Delcenia Cosman/Homer News)
