Football

Juneau senior Jayden Johnson (4) brushes off a tackle by West Anchorage junior Talon Copeland (12) during a state playoff game at West Anchorage. Johnson was selected the All-State utility player of the year and a first-team all-state receiver. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire file photo)

JDHS’ Jayden Johnson voted Utility Player of the Year by D1 football competitors

Crimson Bears senior also named First Team All-State receiver while playing multiple other positions.

 

Juneau Huskies senior Jayden Johnson (4), senior Hayden Aube (2) and junior Ricky Tupou (77) try to bring down West Anchorage senior Zephaniah Sailele (6) during the Huskies 20-13 loss to the Eagles in the 2024 ASAA State Football Playoffs on Saturday at West Anchorage’s Nest on Hillcrest. (Klas Stolpe/Juneau Empire)

Huskies give Eagles a game, Eagles give Huskies respect in 20-13 playoff loss to end Juneau’s season

Sixth-seed Juneau takes third-seed West Anchorage to the wire in showdown of teams’ big playmakers.

 

Juneau Huskies linemen (left-to-right) senior Ricky Tupou, senior Gunnar Tarver, junior Walter Haube-Law, junior Jonah Mahle, junior Kyle Carter, senior Merrick Hartman, senior Stefano Rivera and junior Hyrum Fish. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)

Juneau’s unsung heroes tasked with holding the line in state football playoffs at West Anchorage

Sixth-seeded Huskies face third-seeded Eagles at 6 p.m. Saturday.

 

Juneau Huskies’ senior Jayden Johnson (4) runs for a 51-yard touchdown midway through the first quarter of Friday night’s game against Colony High School in Palmer. Johnson scored five touchdowns in the first half as Juneau defeated Colony 42-6. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)

Jayden Johnson puts on super-hot show on frigid night as Huskies run over Colony 42-6

Juneau senior runs for 5 TDs, more than 150 yards in first half; Huskies enter playoffs as likely sixth seed.

Juneau Huskies’ senior Jayden Johnson (4) runs for a 51-yard touchdown midway through the first quarter of Friday night’s game against Colony High School in Palmer. Johnson scored five touchdowns in the first half as Juneau defeated Colony 42-6. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)
Jayden Johnson (4) throws a pass for Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé in the first quarter of Saturday’s game against Bartlett High School at Adair-Kennedy Memorial Park. Johnson, a senior wide receiver, played nearly the entire game at quarterback. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Juneau Huskies blow first half lead, lose home finale 34-20 to Bartlett High School

With JDHS on verge of potential tying score in final minutes, Bartlett returns fumble 95 yards for TD.

Jayden Johnson (4) throws a pass for Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé in the first quarter of Saturday’s game against Bartlett High School at Adair-Kennedy Memorial Park. Johnson, a senior wide receiver, played nearly the entire game at quarterback. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé freshman assistant coach and manager Jaasyah Crowley (72) directs varsity warmups before the Juneau Huskies’ game against West Anchorage High School last Saturday at Adair-Kennedy Memorial Park. (Klas Stolpe / For the Juneau Empire)

Jaasyah Crowley chasing gridiron dream as whistle-blowing manager for Juneau Huskies

JDHS freshman born with neurological disorder leads warmups for team as he works to get on the field.

Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé freshman assistant coach and manager Jaasyah Crowley (72) directs varsity warmups before the Juneau Huskies’ game against West Anchorage High School last Saturday at Adair-Kennedy Memorial Park. (Klas Stolpe / For the Juneau Empire)
Juneau Huskies senior captains Hayden Aube (2), Sage Schultz (5), Caleb Ziegenfuss (16) and Jayden Johnson (4) approach the center of Adair-Kennedy Memorial Park for the coin toss of last weekend’s game against West Anchorage. (Klas Stolpe/For the Juneau Empire)

Huskies’ captains talk of facing Dimond pedigree

Juneau goes on the road to take on undefeated conference leader in Anchorage on Saturday.

Juneau Huskies senior captains Hayden Aube (2), Sage Schultz (5), Caleb Ziegenfuss (16) and Jayden Johnson (4) approach the center of Adair-Kennedy Memorial Park for the coin toss of last weekend’s game against West Anchorage. (Klas Stolpe/For the Juneau Empire)
West Anchorage High School’s Zephaniah Sailele (6) breaks through Juneau defenders during Saturday’s game at Adair-Kennedy Memorial Park. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Huskies come up short at home in 28-27 nailbiter against West Anchorage

Juneau jumps out to 19-0 lead on Eagles’ mistakes, but end up in battle until final few seconds

West Anchorage High School’s Zephaniah Sailele (6) breaks through Juneau defenders during Saturday’s game at Adair-Kennedy Memorial Park. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
The Juneau Huskies, seen here taking the field for the second half of an Aug. 24 home game against Service High School, prevailed in a road trip game Friday night in Bishop, California, defeating Bishop Union High School 17-6. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)

Juneau defeats Bishop Union High School 17-6 as lots of players make lots of key plays

Huskies survive as the fittest in “caveman football” game during California road trip.

The Juneau Huskies, seen here taking the field for the second half of an Aug. 24 home game against Service High School, prevailed in a road trip game Friday night in Bishop, California, defeating Bishop Union High School 17-6. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)
Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé linemen Ricky Tupou, (77), Jonah Mahle (54), Walter Haube-Law (55) and Benny Zukas (58) block for Ethan Van Kirk (3) during Saturday’s game against Service High School at Adair-Kennedy Memorial Park. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Huskies run over Service 48-6 in season home opener

Offensive line plays “best game in more than a year” as JDHS overcomes injury to starting QB.

Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé linemen Ricky Tupou, (77), Jonah Mahle (54), Walter Haube-Law (55) and Benny Zukas (58) block for Ethan Van Kirk (3) during Saturday’s game against Service High School at Adair-Kennedy Memorial Park. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Juneau Huskies players face off against each other during practice Tuesday in preparation for Saturday’s game against Service High School at Adair-Kennedy Memorial Park. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)

Juneau Huskies enter first home game of season with key players who are stronger, faster and more confident

After opening loss against East Anchorage, football team sets sights on beating Service High School.

Juneau Huskies players face off against each other during practice Tuesday in preparation for Saturday’s game against Service High School at Adair-Kennedy Memorial Park. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)
The Juneau High School Huskies try to convert a 4th-and-long situation on the road against Bettye Davis East Anchorage High School on Saturday. (Screenshot from Juneau Huskies Football livestream)

Juneau Huskies lose season opener on road to East Anchorage 22-6

Thunderbirds score TDs on opening two drives before back-and-forth battle the rest of the game.

The Juneau High School Huskies try to convert a 4th-and-long situation on the road against Bettye Davis East Anchorage High School on Saturday. (Screenshot from Juneau Huskies Football livestream)
Jayden Johnson (4) and Hayden Aube (2), seen here against Dimond High School on Aug. 19, were the biggest offensive playmakers for the Juneau Huskies this season and were used according during the team’s opening playoff game at Anchorage West High School on Friday night. The Huskies, seeded last in the eight-team conference, took an early lead and battled on even terms with top-ranked Anchorage for most of the first half before losing 48-7. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Huskies get into first-half dogfight with top-ranked Anchorage West before losing 48-7 to end season

Juneau takes an early lead, then loses it on a few critical plays resulting in Anchorage touchdowns.

Jayden Johnson (4) and Hayden Aube (2), seen here against Dimond High School on Aug. 19, were the biggest offensive playmakers for the Juneau Huskies this season and were used according during the team’s opening playoff game at Anchorage West High School on Friday night. The Huskies, seeded last in the eight-team conference, took an early lead and battled on even terms with top-ranked Anchorage for most of the first half before losing 48-7. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Jayden Johnson (4), a junior for the Juneau Huskies, looks for room to run against Anchorage South during their game Sept. 30 at Adair-Kennedy Field. The Alaska Sports Report calls Johnson “most explosive player in the state” as the state playoffs begin Friday night. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire File)

Huskies begin playoffs Friday night; here’s how the eight teams stack up

#8 Juneau faces #1 West Anchorage, but “Jayden Johnson is the most explosive player in the state.”

Jayden Johnson (4), a junior for the Juneau Huskies, looks for room to run against Anchorage South during their game Sept. 30 at Adair-Kennedy Field. The Alaska Sports Report calls Johnson “most explosive player in the state” as the state playoffs begin Friday night. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire File)
Juneau senior Eric Tipton (88) levels Anchorage South wide receiver Landon Drumm during Saturday’s game at Adair-Kennedy Field. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Huskies go South, lose regular season finale 46-0

Juneau, last place at 0-7 in conference, faces top-seed Anchorage West in playoffs.

Juneau senior Eric Tipton (88) levels Anchorage South wide receiver Landon Drumm during Saturday’s game at Adair-Kennedy Field. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Juneau’s Anthony Garcia (22) carries the ball deep into West Anchorage High School territory to set up the Huskies’ first touchdown early in the third quarter during Saturday’s game in Anchorage. (Screenshot from Juneau Huskies football livestream video)

Depleted Huskies lose at West Anchorage 59-21

JV players make up one-third of Juneau’s squad during matchup against top team in conference.

Juneau’s Anthony Garcia (22) carries the ball deep into West Anchorage High School territory to set up the Huskies’ first touchdown early in the third quarter during Saturday’s game in Anchorage. (Screenshot from Juneau Huskies football livestream video)
Colony High School running back Bryce Guzman (5) looks for room to run in a downpour during Friday night’s game against the Juneau Huskies at Adair-Kennedy Field. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Huskies lose 19-6 defensive struggle to Colony in title game rematch

Juneau takes early lead at home, but Colony rallies during occasionally heavy rain Friday night.

Colony High School running back Bryce Guzman (5) looks for room to run in a downpour during Friday night’s game against the Juneau Huskies at Adair-Kennedy Field. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Juneau Huskies players and coaches storm the field in celebration after Hayden Aube runs for a touchdown in double overtime to win 55-49 at Washington’s Auburn State on Friday night. It was the first win of the season for Juneau, which returns home after a three-game road trip for another night game next Friday. (Screenshot from Juneau Huskies Football video)

Friday night northern lights: Huskies win 55-49 shootout classic in Washington in 2OT

Juneau gets first win as replacement QB Hayden Aube overcomes goal-line fumbles, scores winning TD.

Juneau Huskies players and coaches storm the field in celebration after Hayden Aube runs for a touchdown in double overtime to win 55-49 at Washington’s Auburn State on Friday night. It was the first win of the season for Juneau, which returns home after a three-game road trip for another night game next Friday. (Screenshot from Juneau Huskies Football video)
Angela Boyd and Tiffany Ridle offer a selfie greeting to viewers as they test their livestream camera before the kickoff of the Juneau Huskies game against Service High School on Saturday in Anchorage. (Screenshot from Juneau Huskies livestream video).

Ma’amingCast: Two football moms offering wisdom and wit with livestreams of Huskies road games

With a smartphone and no previous experience, pair giving fans in Juneau an interactive experience.

Angela Boyd and Tiffany Ridle offer a selfie greeting to viewers as they test their livestream camera before the kickoff of the Juneau Huskies game against Service High School on Saturday in Anchorage. (Screenshot from Juneau Huskies livestream video).
A Service High School player returns a punt deep into Juneau territory during the first quarter of Saturday’s game on the Anchorages school’s home field. Service scored its second touchdown a short time later to take a 15-0 lead before going on to win 54-14. (Courtesy of Juneau Huskies Football)

Punting miscues pivotal as Huskies lose to Service 54-14

Bad snap, kicks and coverage result in TDs for Anchorage team as Juneau drops to 0-4.

A Service High School player returns a punt deep into Juneau territory during the first quarter of Saturday’s game on the Anchorages school’s home field. Service scored its second touchdown a short time later to take a 15-0 lead before going on to win 54-14. (Courtesy of Juneau Huskies Football)