Student Wrestling Development Program defends 9-man football title

Redington High School hosted the 9-man high school football state championship game on Oct. 17, where the Student Wrestling Development Program (SWDP) defeated the Kodiak Bears 40-20. This victory marked the second consecutive state title for the Archangels, who also won the championship in their inaugural season in 2025.

SWDP head coach Heath Martin described the matchup as a physical contest that differed from the team's earlier encounters with Kodiak. The two schools had met twice before that season, with SWDP winning both times by margins exceeding 30 points. In the final game, Kodiak established an early 6-0 lead, forcing the Archangels to execute a series of sustained offensive drives to regain control. SWDP outscored Kodiak 40-14 after that initial score.

"Right out the gate, they got up on a 6-0," Martin said. "They went down the field and scored." The Bears prevented the Archangels from maintaining complete offensive dominance by forcing punts on multiple occasions. SWDP had punted only twice in the entire season prior to the championship, making the defensive stops by Kodiak a notable shift in the game's dynamics. Martin noted that the Bears brought a level of physicality that made the competition more demanding than previous matchups.

"We'd only punted twice all season, so they showed up and it was a great game, physical game," Martin said. "It's a little more enjoyable when you're working for it." The coach credited Kodiak head coach Rich Gonzalez for developing a well-coached squad that is expected to remain a competitive force in the league. Martin expressed gratitude for the addition of a strong opponent to the Denali Conference, noting that the Bears are physical and prepared.

The SWDP roster relied heavily on returning players from the previous year's championship team. The offensive line returned in full, supporting a running back duo of Quenten Halverson and Jessie Conley. Hunter Terbeek, who served as both middle linebacker and tight end, was named the conference defensive player of the year. Martin identified the team's physicality as the primary factor distinguishing SWDP from other competitors, particularly as games progressed into the second quarter.

"They're two physical studs, and then our defensive player of the year in our conference, Hunter Terbeek," Martin said. "He's our middle linebacker and tight end, and these guys are tough. They're like physical, so I'm already like, 'Oh shoot, how am I gonna replace them?' They really led the way." The program operates with a small student body of 40 boys, limiting the pool of potential athletes. Martin stated that only one-quarter of the eligible students participated in football this season.

The team began the season with 14 players, including several seniors who were playing football for the first time. By the end of the season, the roster had grown to 22 players, according to their listing on MaxPreps. Martin said the program aims to start future seasons with at least 25 players to allow for complete team drills without requiring coaches to participate in on-field reps. Currently, the team often lacked sufficient numbers to run full 9-on-9 practice scenarios.

"Half the time, we can't even do 9-on-9," Martin said. "Me and my other coaches, we jump in there to give them reps because the best way to get better at something is to do it." Six teams currently compete in 9-man football in Alaska. Martin cited preliminary discussions with the Alaska School Activities Association regarding the potential expansion of the Denali Conference. He indicated that the ASAA may be considering a structure with three high school football divisions: two for 11-man teams and one for 9-man teams.

Martin suggested that a dedicated 9-man division would allow schools with smaller rosters to field complete teams and rebuild their programs while remaining competitive. He noted that Kodiak, which previously played 11-man football at the Division III level, transitioned to the 9-man format for its first season in the conference. The Bears have been growing their roster, reaching approximately 30 players this season, and Martin expects they may return to 11-man football as their numbers increase further.

"The rumor on the street is that ASAA is going to go to three divisions in high school football, so there'll be two 11-man divisions, and then there's going to be just the one 9-man division," Martin said. "If that takes place, I foresee a few more teams coming down, so that's great." The potential expansion could provide a pathway for other schools to manage player availability and sustain competitive seasons without the pressure of filling 11-man rosters.