Chugiak, West prepare for Saturday battle

ANCHORAGE, Alaska — It seems every prep football season offers a five-star matchup as early as Week 3, and this year is no different. The Chugiak Mustangs and West Eagles are getting set for a Saturday battle between the unbeaten teams.

The Mustangs were rated No. 1 in this year’s Alaska Sports Broadcasters Network poll, while the Eagles were No. 3. The winner of Saturday’s match will gain an early edge in the Cook Inlet Conference standings.

To raise the stakes even higher, Chugiak is also using its home opener to dedicate its field to former coach Tom Huffer, Sr. Huffer started the Chugiak football program in the 1960s and led the Mustangs to a pair of state titles, while also playing a key role in getting field turf installed at the stadium. It’s only fitting that on Saturday, the field will bear his name.

“It's quite an honor, and to be able to give Coach this is something the community has wanted for a long time,” said Chugiak coach Duncan Shackelford. “I told them losing wasn't an option -- maybe that put it in our chest, but losing is not an option on Saturday night.”

“For a great man and an important person in high school athletics, we're looking forward to it in front of hostile crowd -- it's us against the world, and we love it,” said West coach Tim Davis.

Contact John Carpenter at jcarpenter@ktuu.com