Dimond, No. 1 in the High School Football America Alaska Top 5 high school football rankings, has moved on to the Division I state semifinals. The Lynx advanced to the semis with a 40-23 win over Colony in the opening round of the playoffs.
Quarterback Cayden Pili led Dimond to its first playoff win since 2015 with 182-yards rushing and 121-yards passing.
Next week, the Lynx will play Bartlett, No. 4 in our statewide rankings. The Golden Bears beat South 42-27 on Saturday.
During their regular season Cook Inlet Conference matchup, Dimond beat Bartlett 35-30 in the regular season opener for both schools on August 16.
In the other state semifinal, No. 2 West will play No. 3 Bettye Davis East.
West advanced to the semis with a 20-13 win over Juneau and BDE shutout Service 30-0 in the quarters.
On August 23, West beat the Thunderbirds 36-29.
The Division III championship is set for next week with Kenai Central playing Homer for the title.
Homer, the No. 4 seed, upset top-seed Barrow 6-0. Third-seed Kenai beat No. 2 Redington 27-20.
Division II schools finished their regular season this weekend. They’ll play their state semis next week with Soldotna as the No. 1 seed. North Pole will be the No. 2 seed.
