Big plays spark Skyview rally, Hawks fall in final game of season

SOLDOTNA — The Houston Hawks were in position to end a rough season on a winning note.

But a late Skyview rally spoiled the Hawks’ hopes of securing one final victory in 2009.

The Panthers scored 20 unanswered points in a 26-18 come-from-behind Northern Lights Conference win over Houston at Skyview High School in Soldotna on Saturday.

“They got some big plays, and that was the difference,” Houston head coach Norm Bouchard said by phone from Soldotna, after the game.

Skyview quarterback Jordan Jones completed a pair of second-half touchdown passes of 50 yards or more to lead the Panthers to their first NLC victory of the season.

The Panthers finish the season 2-6 overall and 1-4 in NLC play. Houston is forced to settle for a 1-7 overall mark and 0-5 record in conference action.

Houston quarterback Beau Frank also threw a pair of touchdowns in the game to help the Hawks build an 18-6 lead.

With just less than five minutes to go in the first half, Frank dumped a short pass to receiver Zack Qual, and the speedy senior took the ball 53 yards for the score.

Late in the third quarter, Frank hooked up with Aaron Richardson on a 15-yard score, and the Hawks took the 18-6 lead.

Frank finished with 150 yards passing and the two touchdown passes.

“We felt pretty good,” Bouchard said of Frank’s play at quarterback. “He did good.”

Richardson gave the Hawks the early lead, when he returned a fumble on special teams in for a score. With about eight minutes left in the first quarter, Houston punted the ball, the Skyview punt returner fumbled and Richardson scooped up the ball for the score.

“Richardson had a real good game, Qual had a really good game,” Bouchard said.

Bouchard said the Hawks had success on offense. In addition to Frank’s 150 yards passing, junior Brandon Dukes ran for a team-high 95 yards.

“We moved the ball well in the first half. We moved it in the second, but we couldn’t finish,” Bouchard said.

That combined with Skyview’s big plays, led to the Panther win.

Skyview got onto the scoreboard for the first time, less that two minutes into the second half. And with Houston holding the 18-6 lead, Skyview made it a one-score game when Bryce Wilson took a Jones pass 54 yards for a touchdown.

Midway through the fourth, Skyview took the lead for the first time in the game with a Cody Williams 72-yard touchdown catch.

The Panthers added to their advantage with an interception return for a touchdown with 3:27 left in regulation.

Contact Frontiersman sports editor Jeremiah Bartz at sports@frontiersman.com.