Hawks earn honors

Oct. 17, 2006

By Jeremiah Bartz/ Frontiersman

Karl Thistle entered his senior season as one of the top players in the Greatland Conference.

The Houston High School product was most certainly seen as an all-conference caliber player, on both sides of the ball, and even a potential player of the year candidate.

But because of a few nagging injuries, the Houston coaching staff, had to carefully decide each week how to use the two-way standout. In several games, Houston decided to limit the fullback's carries on offense, to ensure the defensive lineman was healthy enough to play defense. Fewer carries hurt his chances at first-team honors on offense, but Thistle did get a first-team nod on defense. Thistle was one of five Houston players named first-team All-Greatland Conference by the conference coaches on Sunday.

&#8220Karl's the consummate team player,” Houston head coach Norm Bouchard said. &#8220With that, he gave up a spot on that all-conference team. It's tough to see, but he did that for the team.”

On defense, Thistle led the squad in sacks. On offense, despite the limited action, he still managed 529 yards and six touchdowns.

Thistle did get second-team honors at fullback.

A pair of Hawks received first-team honors at two positions. Senior Donovan Parker was named first-team punter and first-team defensive back, while junior Israel Morales earned first-team running back and first-team linebacker honors.

&#8220Double honors on the first team, that always says a lot about their desire,” Bouchard said.

Parker averaged more than 40 yards per punt during his senior season, and was undoubtedly the top player at that position in the Greatland Conference.

&#8220He got us out of a lot of trouble at times,” Bouchard said. &#8220He's got a real shot at the small-school all-state punter.”

Seth Grove was named first-team at inside linebacker for Houston. Bouchard said he was possibly most pleased to see Grove included on the first team.

&#8220He's just a really good kid. He's one of those kids, as a freshman he was not really big. But he's really built himself into a very good inside linebacker,” Bouchard said.

Matt Gardner was also named first-team kicker for Houston.

Grove and Thistle led six Hawks on the second team. Grove was named to the second team at offensive guard, while Thistle earned the spot at fullback.

Also named to the second team were quarterback Ryan Thamm, offensive tackle Garrett Mooney and long snapper Tyler Strickland.

Blake Elder was named second-team utility player. Bouchard said he lobbied to get more recognition for Elder.

&#8220He was a huge part of our leadership,” Bouchard said.

Linemen Ben Crowley and Justin Bowman were listed as honorable mentions.

Bouchard also earned an award of his own, garnering coach of the year honors.

&#8220It's pretty humbling,” Bouchard said. &#8220Any time your peers pick you, you feel pretty good about yourself.”

And Bouchard lent a lot of the credit to his players.

&#8220They made me look pretty good,” he said.

The small-school all-state squads will be announced next week.

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