Redington High wins its first Division III state football title

The Redington Huskies gathered around assistant coach Wade Schirack near midfield Saturday afternoon for one final “dog check” — he screamed those words and the players responded.

They roared back with louds barks — the sound of football champions.

Redington scored the First National Bowl Division III title game’s first 24 points and cruised to a 46-12 win over neighboring rival Houston at Service High. The small school located in Wasilla won its first state crown in its seventh year of existence and capped a perfect 9-0 season.

“We’re really more than just a team,” said Huskies senior defensive stalwart Mason Brouillet. “Every day, we sit together at lunch, get to know each other. We hang out away from school, and really got that chemistry going.”

Senior quarterback Wayde Bowman tossed four touchdown passes — two to Bryce Murdock. Trevor Bowman and Logan Seymore each caught one. Jaden Spaulding scored a pair of rushing touchdowns.

In a season of firsts for Redington, the Huskies also beat Houston for the first time during their regular season meeting. They turned the trick again Saturday.

Seymore also picked up an interception and recovered an onside kick.

Houston scored on Cody Wyrick’s interception return for a touchdown and Brandon Hina’s 49-yard touchdown reception from Colton Bunn.

Houston was the defending DIII champ. The Hawks finished 4-5.

Veteran journalist Matt Nevala can be found on social media at @MNevala9.

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PomaiKai Vargas-Gutierres, 5, kisses the ASAA Division III state football championship trophy and celebrates with teammates after Redington beat Houston High School during their game at Service High School in Anchorage on Saturday, Oct. 16, 2021. (Emily Mesner / ADN)