The Nikiski and Seward football teams closed the regular season in the nine-man Denali Conference with victories Saturday.

The Seahawks, at 3-0 in the league and 7-0 overall, will be the top seed in the nine-man playoffs, meaning Seward gets a bye to the championship game.

Nikiski, at 2-1 and 4-2, will be the No. 2 seed. The Bulldogs host No. 3 seed Monroe (1-2, 1-5) in the first round of the playoffs Saturday, Oct. 5, at 1 p.m. The season is over for Valdez (0-3, 1-5).

Saturday, Nikiski traveled to Valdez for a 54-14 victory. Nikiski coach Matt Trammell wrote in a text message that his squad overcame early struggles to take care of business. Valdez recovered an onside kick on the first play of the game, then scored quickly.

Quarterback Ethan Ellis finished 10 of 10 for 292 yards and scores through the air to Wyatt Maguire, Kevin Love and Rex Wittmer. Love had two catches for 72 yards, Wittmer had a catch for 71 yards, Kaiden Parrish had a catch for 45 yards, Oliver Parrish had four catches for 41 yards and Maguire had two catches for 63 yards.

Oliver Parrish had three rushing touchdowns, finishing with 117 yards on nine carries. Kaiden Parrish had a rushing score, carrying nine times for 36 yards.

Brandon Scott had a carry for 6 yards, while Mason Doth had a carry for 5 yards.

Seward hosted and defeated Monroe 48-12. Seward coach Tyler Mallory said Ronan Bickling, Noah Price, Hunter Forshee-Kurtz, Noah Bird and Brett Gilmore all had at least one touchdown.

The coach also credited Jack Gardner and Emerson Cross for solid games at defense.