Prediction: Barrow (Alaska) falls short of ASAA D-III state title

The 2025 high school football season will be getting underway in less than six weeks, which means it’s officially preview season. Rivals is breaking down the nation’s top teams from coast-to-coast, and today we head to the Last Frontier as the country’s northernmost team, the Barrow Whalers, look to compete for an ASAA Division III state championship. A host of all-state seniors have graduated, meaning the Whalers will need to quickly re-tool as they take aim winning the program’s first state title since 2017.

Player Spotlight: OL/DL Suoeli Tuifua

Suoeli Fuifua earned all-state honors as a junior and should be in line for another big season as he wraps up his high school career. The 6-foot, 215-pound standout may be a bit undersized but he impresses with his versatility and motor. With many key players having graduated from last season’s 5-3 squad, the Whalers will lean on Tuifua to lead a younger group to another successful campaign.

Others to watch: ATH/K Lennox Dias, OL Nathaniel Lilomaiava

Season Prediction: 3-5

Whether we’re talking about a team in Alaska or Florida, there will always be some speedbumps when seven all-state players depart a roster. The Whalers enter the 2025 season with talent, but are a bit thin on experience. The team will see a handful of one-possession games go the other way way as Barrow gets tripped up by miscues and untimely turnovers. Though the Whalers’ campaign ends in the semifinal round, the future is bright for a program that has quality underclassmen that see time throughout the season.

Game-By-Game Predictions

Aug. 15 – Redington (Alaska) Huskies – W
Last year’s matchup was decided by nearly four scores. It won’t be quite as lopsided this fall but the Whalers open the season with a win.

Aug. 22 – at Homer (Alaska) Mariners – L
Barrow falls in a tight 21-14 contest to fall to 1-1.

Aug. 30 – at Eagle River (Alaska) Wolves – L
The growing pains continue on the road as the Whalers fall to 1-2 after a 42-6 rout.

Sep. 6 – Kodiak (Alaska) Bears – W
Head coach Chris Battle’s bunch gets back in the win column as they return home and cruise to a 42-7 victory.

Sep. 13 – at Redington (Alaska) Huskies – W
In a rematch of the season opener, the Whalers start off fast and never look back.

Sep. 20 – at Homer (Alaska) Mariners – L
The rematch against the Mariners ends in another one-possession loss. Barrow now sits at 3-3 with two games remaining.

Sep. 26 – at Houston (Alaska) Hawks – L
The Whalers fall below the .500 mark as they lose a 22-16 affair on the road heading into the finale.

Oct. 4 – at Kenai Central (Alaska) Kardinals – L
The regular season finale on the road ends with another tight loss.