Football

Jarrell Williams sprints down the sidelines during a dominant win against Bettye Davis East Anchorage High School on Saturday, Oct. 15. Williams, who has been a standout at defensive back and quarterback this season, will square off against Colony High School, which boasts an exceptional defender and quarterback of its own, for a Division I state title on Friday. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)

Two-way stars will take center stage in state title game

In an Alaska high school football season filled with stars, these two have been out of this world.

Jarrell Williams sprints down the sidelines during a dominant win against Bettye Davis East Anchorage High School on Saturday, Oct. 15. Williams, who has been a standout at defensive back and quarterback this season, will square off against Colony High School, which boasts an exceptional defender and quarterback of its own, for a Division I state title on Friday. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)
Jarrell Williams (1) smiles after securing what was essentially a game-ending interception. Payton Grant (9) and Thomas Baxter (84) react to the big play. After the big play, the Huskies’ offense would take the field for victory formation. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

Huskies advance to state championship game

Juneau will face Colony High School in Anchorage.

Jarrell Williams (1) smiles after securing what was essentially a game-ending interception. Payton Grant (9) and Thomas Baxter (84) react to the big play. After the big play, the Huskies’ offense would take the field for victory formation. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File The Juneau Huskies offense prepares to line up in last week’s victory against South Anchorage High School.

Huskies host East with title berth on the line

Kickoff is set for 3 p.m.

Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File The Juneau Huskies offense prepares to line up in last week’s victory against South Anchorage High School.
Payton Grant makes his way to the end zone for his —and the Huskies’— first touchdown of the game as his teammates signal the score. Grant, a senior, had a big day for Juneau. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

Huskies set playoff points record against South Anchorage

Juneau on cloud 9-0.

Payton Grant makes his way to the end zone for his —and the Huskies’— first touchdown of the game as his teammates signal the score. Grant, a senior, had a big day for Juneau. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
Juneau's high school football team finished the regular season 8-0 (7-0 in conference) after hanging on to win a 19-14 nail-biter against Bettye Davis East Anchorage High School. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)

Huskies finish regular season undefeated

Huskies hang on — but not without last-minute drama.

Juneau's high school football team finished the regular season 8-0 (7-0 in conference) after hanging on to win a 19-14 nail-biter against Bettye Davis East Anchorage High School. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)
Jarrell Williams, who scored five TDs against South Anchorage to help Juneau maintain an undefeated record, looks over the line of scrimmage in an Aug. 27 game against West Anchorage High School. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)

5 TD’s power Juneau’s 6th win

Juneau football still undefeated on the season.

Jarrell Williams, who scored five TDs against South Anchorage to help Juneau maintain an undefeated record, looks over the line of scrimmage in an Aug. 27 game against West Anchorage High School. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)
Senior MJ Topou (24) had his first big catch of the year against Colony High School in Anchorage with a 66-yard reception. The Huskies next host West Valley Eagles of Washington state on Friday at 7 p.m. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)

Friday night football returns to Juneau

Cook Inlet Conference’s top dogs welcome Washington state team

Senior MJ Topou (24) had his first big catch of the year against Colony High School in Anchorage with a 66-yard reception. The Huskies next host West Valley Eagles of Washington state on Friday at 7 p.m. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)
The Huskies on Friday improved their record to 4-0 with all wins coming within the Cook Inlet Conference. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)

Huskies run wild in win over Colony

337 yards for Jamal Johnson.

The Huskies on Friday improved their record to 4-0 with all wins coming within the Cook Inlet Conference. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)
Jarrell Williams streaks down the sideline for Juneau's second touchdown of the game. The Huskies are now 3-0 on the season with each win coming against other Cook Inlet Conference teams. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

Huskies remain undefeated after win against West Anchorage

A victory 21-years in the making

Jarrell Williams streaks down the sideline for Juneau's second touchdown of the game. The Huskies are now 3-0 on the season with each win coming against other Cook Inlet Conference teams. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
Jayden Johnson smiles as he reaches the end zone in the fourth quarter. The Huskies were victorious in their home-opener against Bartlett High School. The score extended Juneau's lead to 26-14 and helped stave off a turnover-fueled comeback bid by Bartlett. The Huskies went on to win 33-14. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

Huskies fight for frantic finish

Juneau beats Bartlett in home opener 33 to 14

Jayden Johnson smiles as he reaches the end zone in the fourth quarter. The Huskies were victorious in their home-opener against Bartlett High School. The score extended Juneau's lead to 26-14 and helped stave off a turnover-fueled comeback bid by Bartlett. The Huskies went on to win 33-14. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
Senior Jarrell Williams throws a pass during Thursday’s practice before Saturday’s opening game in Anchorage against Dimond High School. (Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire)

Huskies head to Anchorage for opening game

Saturday’s game against the Dimond Lynx

Senior Jarrell Williams throws a pass during Thursday’s practice before Saturday’s opening game in Anchorage against Dimond High School. (Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire)
Former NFL defensive tackle leads an exercise inside the Dimond Park Field House. The former pro has been helping local athletes refine their skills while in town. (Courtesy Photo)

Top of the line: Former NFL DT helps youths work on their game

He’s conducting a camp for middle and elementary school students from Monday to Thursday.

Former NFL defensive tackle leads an exercise inside the Dimond Park Field House. The former pro has been helping local athletes refine their skills while in town. (Courtesy Photo)
James Connally (10), a senior, and Payton Grant, a junior, embrace following a touchdown. Connally caught and threw for a touchdown in the Huskies’ 30-17 loss to Bettye Davis East Anchorage High School. (Courtesy Photo / Larry Schrader)

Juneau’s title chase comes to an end against East Anchorage

The Juneau Huskies finished their 2021 season as runner-ups for the state’s Division I title.

James Connally (10), a senior, and Payton Grant, a junior, embrace following a touchdown. Connally caught and threw for a touchdown in the Huskies’ 30-17 loss to Bettye Davis East Anchorage High School. (Courtesy Photo / Larry Schrader)
Payton Grant, a junior wide receiver, makes a move following a reception against Bettye Davis East Anchorage High School. The Huskies won their last game against East 39-28 on Saturday, Sept. 4 at home. The two teams will play again for a state championship at Service High School. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

Empire Live: Huskies play hard, fall short of title

Thunderbirds win the state championship 30-17.

Payton Grant, a junior wide receiver, makes a move following a reception against Bettye Davis East Anchorage High School. The Huskies won their last game against East 39-28 on Saturday, Sept. 4 at home. The two teams will play again for a state championship at Service High School. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
Juneau Huskies quarterback Noah Chambers, a senior, celebrates after moving through a tunnel of fans and cheerleaders following Juneau’s second-round playoff win. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

Huskies are heading to state

Huskies dominate in home win.

Juneau Huskies quarterback Noah Chambers, a senior, celebrates after moving through a tunnel of fans and cheerleaders following Juneau’s second-round playoff win. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
Jarrell Williams, a junior defensive back, prepares to tackle Roman Smith. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

Huskies win at home behind big second half

Bartlett comes to town next week.

Jarrell Williams, a junior defensive back, prepares to tackle Roman Smith. (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)

Photos: The Juneau Huskies’ season from practice to playoffs

The season continues at 3 p.m. Saturday.

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)
Brandon Campbell chases down a Dimond ball carrier during an Aug. 21 game. The Juneau Huskies and Dimond Lynx will face off again on Saturday. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)

Huskies ready for a home playoff game

Kickoff is at 3 p.m.

Brandon Campbell chases down a Dimond ball carrier during an Aug. 21 game. The Juneau Huskies and Dimond Lynx will face off again on Saturday. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)
James Connally, a senior, makes his way toward the end zone to open the scoring for the Juneau Huskies. Connally also caught a pair of touchdowns in a 42-7 win against South Anchorage High School. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

7 points: The Huskies are conference champs

Takeways from the Week 7 win and a look ahead to the playoffs.

James Connally, a senior, makes his way toward the end zone to open the scoring for the Juneau Huskies. Connally also caught a pair of touchdowns in a 42-7 win against South Anchorage High School. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
Lucas White (21) and two other Huskies take down a player from Dimond High School on Saturday, Aug. 21. Juneau coach Rich Sjoroos said solid tackling by White and others played a major role in the Huskie's 27-14 win against Bartlett High School. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)

7 points: Huskies make it 3 in a row

Next game is senior night.

Lucas White (21) and two other Huskies take down a player from Dimond High School on Saturday, Aug. 21. Juneau coach Rich Sjoroos said solid tackling by White and others played a major role in the Huskie's 27-14 win against Bartlett High School. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)