Kodiak’s first football game above the Arctic Circle was a memorable one.

The Bears opened the 2009 high school season with a 21-7 victory over the Barrow Whalers in a nonconference game at Barrow on the blue turf, Saturday afternoon.

This is Kodiak’s second straight victory over Barrow. The Bears edged the Whalers 19-13 in last year’s small-school state semifinal playoff game.

Kodiak improves to 5-2 in season opening games.

On Aug. 15, Kodiak (1-0) hosts Colony, a large-school team, in its home opener.