Lathrop Malemutes Secure State Football Title
The Lathrop Malemutes defeated Soldotna 35-14 to cap an undefeated season with a state championship victory.
Updated on Oct. 20, 2026 in Football
Lathrop claimed the state football championship on Saturday with a dominant 35-14 win over Soldotna. The victory solidified a perfect 10-0 season for the Malemutes.
Why it matters
The win represents a significant milestone for Lathrop, as the team sought to overcome a history of losing to Soldotna in previous seasons. The outcome marks a rare, lopsided defeat for the Soldotna program, which has maintained a high level of success for decades.
Wilson Lawson led the offensive effort with 289 receiving yards and four touchdowns. This performance helped secure the win for the Malemutes, who finished their campaign with an unblemished 10-0 record.
The players
Lathrop Malemutes
This is a high school football team based in Alaska that recently concluded a perfect 10-0 season.
Soldotna
This is a high school football program known for its historical success in Alaska state competition.
Wilson Lawson
He is a football player who recorded 289 receiving yards and four touchdowns during the championship game.
The details
Lathrop utilized an aggressive aerial attack to dismantle the Soldotna defense throughout the matchup. Star receiver Wilson Lawson played a pivotal role by executing a series of touchdown receptions that allowed his team to pull away early and maintain the lead.
Timeline
The state championship game occurred on October 17, 2026.
The previous record for the most lopsided defeat dealt to Soldotna was set in 2006.
Season Trajectory
This victory reshapes the competitive balance of Alaska high school football by ending the established dominance of the Soldotna program. The result forces a shift in the regional playoff narrative following Lathrop's emergence as a perfect-season champion.
Lathrop enters the off-season as the state benchmark following a perfect 10-0 record and a 35-14 championship victory. The team faces a significant roster challenge moving forward as 22 seniors graduate from the squad.
The takeaway
Lathrop's success demonstrates the impact of a specialized offensive strategy on long-standing competitive rivalries. Teams looking to improve can analyze how Lathrop integrated an effective aerial game to overcome established defensive opponents.
Further reading
For more on high school athletics across the state, visit the Alaska Football section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Webcenterfairbanks.
