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Photos: The Juneau Huskies’ season from practice to playoffs

Published 10:30 pm Friday, October 8, 2021

Sam Sika, a junior who plays full back and defensive line for the Huskies, celebrates after scoring a touchdown against South Anchorage High School. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
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Sam Sika, a junior who plays full back and defensive line for the Huskies, celebrates after scoring a touchdown against South Anchorage High School. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

Sam Sika, a junior who plays full back and defensive line for the Huskies, celebrates after scoring a touchdown against South Anchorage High School. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
Juneau defensive linemen practice pass rush stunts in late August. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
Coach Rich Sjoroos addresses the Juneau Huskies during practice ahead of Juneau’s first home game of the season. Sjoroos was recently named Cook Inlet Conference Coach of the Year. Sjoroos said he is fortunate to be surrounded by great players and coaches. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
Quarterback Noah Chambers, a senior, prepares to throw during a Week 1 win against Colony. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
James Connally, a senior wide receiver, goes up to bring in a long pass during a win against Colony. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
Gaby Soto crosses the goal line to put 6 points on the board for the Huskies. Soto scored three first-half touchdowns in Juneau's first high school football game in nearly two years. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
Hunter Derr prepares to wrap up the Colony High School quarterback. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
A trio of Huskies bring down a Dimond Lynx. Juneau prided itself on playing swarming defense. Defensive huddles broke on the word “swarm” during practice. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
Jamal Johnson, a junior running back, moves through contact during Juneau’s first match-up with Dimond High School. The Huskies face Dimond again in the first round of the playoffs. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
Payton Grant, a junior wide receiver, makes a move following a reception against Bettye Davis East Anchorage High School. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
Payton Grant, a junior wide receiver, makes a move following a reception against Bettye Davis East Anchorage High School. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
Wallace Adams, a senior defensive back, tight end and kicker, plows ahead against East Anchorage. Adams earned all-conference honors on both sides of the ball and was named the all-conference kicker, too.
Jarrell Williams, a junior defensive back, stares down his assignment prior to the play during the Huskies’ home win against South Anchorage. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
Jamal Johnson, a junior running back, finds himself in open space against South Anchorage High School. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
The Huskies celebrate after securing a conference title. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
The Huskies celebrate after securing a conference title. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
Sam Sika, a junior who plays full back and defensive line for the Huskies, celebrates after scoring a touchdown against South Anchorage High School. The touchdown was the Huskies’ sixth of the game in a dominant, conference-clinching win. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

The Juneau Huskies finished their season atop the Cook Inlet Conference and ranked as the top Division I football team in the state.

An undefeated home record helped propel the Huskies to their lofty post-season perch. Check out these photos from the Huskies’ triumphant return to the grid iron following a pandemic-canceled season.