Hawks ready for long football road trip

HOUSTON — When Houston High School opted out of the Northern Lights Conference in favor of independent status for its football team, holes were left in the schedule.

As schedule-makers worked to fill the void, a unique opportunity for a group of Houston student-athletes was created in the process. Today, the Houston Hawks depart on a two-game road trek, rare for the Alaska high school football ranks. The trip to Southeast Alaska includes a game Wednesday at Sitka, and a date with Thunder Mountain Saturday evening in Juneau.

“The kids are really excited,” Houston head coach Glenn Nelson said recently.

In addition to the chance to play the games, Nelson said the trip presents a unique opportunity for his players to see a part of the state they may not normally have the chance to visit.

“We’re so young, some of these kids haven’t been on (an airplane) before,” Nelson said.

Coordinating the trip and fundraising has been a process, Nelson said, but parents and boosters have stepped up.

“The parents have been pitching in to help raise money. They’re excited to see their kids go down there,” Nelson said.

The itinerary is set. The team leaves tonight and will fly to Sitka. The Hawks will play the Wolves on Wednesday and fly to Juneau Thursday morning to prepare for its Saturday game against Thunder Mountain. Nelson said the team will fly out of Juneau Sunday morning.

Nelson said he’s excited for his team’s chance to play Sitka (1-1), a school and