Advantage Homer: Mariners topple Kenai Central 16-0 to win DIII football title

WASILLA — In the ongoing battle among Kenai Peninsula rivals for state football supremacy at the Division III level, it’s advantage Homer.

The Mariners used a sterling defense and timely runs from substitute quarterback CJ Burns to topple Kenai Central 16-0 on Saturday at Wasilla High School.

Until Saturday’s title tilt, it was Kenai Central that had asserted recent dominance over Homer. The Kardinals topped the Mariners in the state semifinals last year en route to the title. And earlier this season, Kenai Central had drubbed Homer twice by a combined score of 60-8.

But the championship game was different as Homer’s defense met the Kardinals at every turn and allowed virtually no big plays.

“We played assignment football,” Homer head coach Justin Zank said. “Everybody played with intensity and everybody believed.”

Neither team was able to dent the scoreboard in the first half but both teams had chances. Kenai found itself deep in Homer territory in the first quarter but came away empty-handed. And Homer had a touchdown called back due to a penalty.

Homer starting quarterback Preston Stanislaw, who was also playing defense, hobbled off after a Kenai running play, opening the door for Burns. He looked shaky under center in the early going but eventually found his groove.

“Stanislaw was injured earlier this season, and CJ stepped in,” Zank said. “So he’s got games underneath his belt, but it’s been a couple weeks.”

Kenai Central won the battle of field position for much of the third quarter but couldn’t capitalize as the Homer defense held strong. Homer stopped Kenai on a fourth down deep in its own territory and the Kardinals missed a field goal on their next possession.

Homer started the fourth quarter deep in its own territory but put together a drive that ate up the entire first half of the fourth quarter and ended with Burns going left and bowling through Kenai defenders for a score and a 6-0 lead. The Mariners added the two-point conversion to go up 8-0 with just 4:28 left in the fourth.

Burns was nonchalant about his role as an understudy-turned-star.

“I think reality kicked in,” he said. “I kind of realized that our quarterback wasn’t coming back in. If we were going to get done, it was going to be through me.”

After a Homer interception, the Mariners were able to drive down and seal the victory with another touchdown. Once again it was Burns who got in the end zone with less than a minute remaining.

Burns, who normally played receiver, was much more comfortable as he was able to get to the outside on a number of plays in the fourth quarter.

“In the open field I feel a lot better,” he said. “Once I get going, it’s a different story.”

Zank said the defense was the difference for the team down the stretch. In the semis, the Mariners shut out Barrow 6-0. The Whalers had topped Homer 30-20 earlier in the season.

“Our defense played outstanding,” Zank said. “The best we’ve played all season have been the last two weeks.”

Homer was anything but dominant this year and finished the season 5-5.

But after winning the state title in 2022, Zank said getting back on top against a rival is as good as it gets.

“Any win against Kenai is a good win,” he said with a smile.