Juneau defensive linemen practice pass rush stunts in late August. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

Juneau defensive linemen practice pass rush stunts in late August. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

Photos: The Juneau Huskies’ season from practice to playoffs

The season continues at 3 p.m. Saturday.

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.

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)

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)

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)

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)

James Connally, a senior wide receiver, goes up to bring in a long pass during a win against Colony. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

Hunter Derr prepares to wrap up the Colony High School quarterback. (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)

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)

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)

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)

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.

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

More in Sports

Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé Nordic Ski Team and community cross-country skiers start the Shaky Shakeout Invitational six-kilometer freestyle mass start race Saturday at Eaglecrest Ski Area. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)
Crimson Bears cross-country skiers in sync

JDHS Nordic Ski Team tunes up for state with practice race

Thunder Mountain Middle School eighth grader Carter Day of the Blue Barracuda Bombers attempts to pin classmate John Croasman of War Hawks White during the inaugural Thunder Mountain Mayhem Team Duels wrestling tournament Saturday at TMMS. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)
Inaugural Thunder Mountain Mayhem Tournament makes most of weather misfortune

More than 50 Falcons wrestlers compete amongst themselves after trip to Sitka tourney nixed.

An adult double-crested cormorant flies low. (Photo by Bob Armstrong)
On the Trails: Some January observations

One day, late in January, a friend and I watched two Steller… Continue reading

In this file photo Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé seniors Cailynn, left, and Kerra Baxter, right, battle for a rebound against Dimond High School. The Baxters led JDHS in scoring this weekend at Mt. Edgecumbe with Cailynn hitting 23 on Friday and Kerra 28 on Saturday. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire file photo)
JDHS girls sweep Mt. Edgecumbe on the road

Crimson Bears show road strength at Braves’ gym.

Mt. Edgecumbe senior RJ Didrickson (21) shoots against Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé juniors Brandon Casperson (5), Joren Gasga (12) and seniors Ben Sikes and Pedrin Saceda-Hurt (10) during the Braves’ 68-47 win over the Crimson Bears on Saturday in the George Houston Gymnasium. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)
Braves poke Bears again, win 68-47

Mt. Edgecumbe survives second night in JDHS den.

Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé senior Matthew Plang (22) skates away from Wasilla senior Karson McGrew (18) and freshman Dylan Mead (49) during the Crimson Bears’ 3-1 win over the Warriors at Treadwell Ice Arena on Saturday. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)
JDHS hockey home season finishes with a split

Crimson Bears topple Wasilla, but fall to Tri-Valley.

Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé senior Matthew Plang (22), senior goalie Caleb Friend (1), Tri-Valley's Owen Jusczak (74), JDHS junior Elias Schane (10), JDHS sophomore Bryden Roberts (40) and JDHS senior Emilio Holbrook (37) converge on a puck near the Crimson Bears net during Friday's 8-3 JDHS win over the Warriors at Treadwell Ice Arena. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)
Crimson Bears ending regular season with wins

Weekend double matches builds excitement for state tournament

Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé junior Brandon Casperson (5) attempts a shot against Mt. Edgecumbe senior Donovan Stephen-Standifer, sophomore Kaden Herrmann (13), sophomore Royce Alstrom and senior Richard Didrickson Jr. (21) during the Crimson Bears 80-66 loss to the Braves on Friday in the George Houston Gymnasium. The two teams play again Saturday at 6 p.m. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)
Visiting Braves earn win over Crimson Bears

Mt. Edgecumbe takes game one over JDHS, game two Saturday.

Ned Rozell sits at the edge of the volcanic crater on Mount Katmai during a trip to the Valley of 10,000 Smokes in 2001. (Photo by John Eichelberger)
Alaska Science Forum: Thirty years of writing about Alaska science

When I was drinking coffee with a cab-driving-author friend of the same… Continue reading

Most Read