Hawks rebound with win over Valdez

HOUSTON — After a tough loss at Eielson last week, the Houston Hawks needed to rebound.

And Houston bounced back in a big way.

Houston scored on its first offensive play of the game and twice during the first two minutes of regulation en route to a 36-0 victory over Valdez Friday night at Houston High School.

“When we went up to Eielson we really motivated. We thought we had a chance at that one,” Houston head coach said of the 28-7 loss to the Ravens Sept. 9 at Eielson Air Force Base. “It didn’t work out. It was a big let down for us.”

Houston stayed alive in the race for a postseason berth, improving to 2-1 in Aurora Conference play with the win over Valdez. Nelson said it was important for the Hawks to get back on track as they now look ahead to a visit to Barrow to play the Whalers next week.

“It was a little tune-up to get ready for Barrow,” Nelson said of Friday’s win.

After Valdez fumbled the opening kickoff, Houston struck fast. Quarterback Terry Hershman connected with receiver Silas Ross on a 32-yard touchdown pass on Houston’s first offensive play of the game.

“Ross has been with us for a few years. He can spread the field. He’s got good speed, good hands. Hershman can throw the ball,” Nelson said.

Hershman also threw a touchdown pass on the first play of the second quarter, hitting Noah Plumb for a 34-yard score. Nelson said he hopes its something extra for future opponents to think about.

“We’re usually run heavy,” Nelson said. “We’re not afraid to throw.”

Moments after Hershman tossed his first touchdown pass of the game, Apete Sasiu returned a punt 49 yards for a touchdown. Houston led 12-0 with 10:49 left in the first quarter.

Noah Plumb added a 3-yard touchdown run in the first quarter. Will Croghan rushed for a 7-yard score in the third. Kennedy Fono led the Hawks with 93 yards on six carries. Croghan added 72 yards on 13 carries. Gavin Mulhaney finished with 68 yards rushing and 35 yards passing.

Eleven different players had a least a carry for Houston, which used three different quarterbacks in the game. Nelson said the Hawks don’t have much depth, but it was important to allow different players see action at different postions.

Denali Whitted also booted a 23-yard field goal for the Hawks. Robert Ritter led the Houston defense with a pair of interceptions.

Kyle Sodergren led Valdez with 33 yards rushing and picked off a pass on defense. Valdez head coach Steve Radotich said Valdez is a young team that lost 20 players from its 2016 squad.

“We have seven upperclassmen. It’s been a definite rebuilding year. We’ve got a lot of young guys that have a lot of heart,” Radotich said.

Without a junior varsity program, Radotich said his players are forced to learn against bigger and more experienced opponents.

“We are the tinyest team, maybe in the country, playing ball,” Radotich said of his squad, which features only two players that weigh more than 200 pounds. “But they don’t quit. They’ve got a lot of heart.”

Contact Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman sports editor Jeremiah Bartz at sports@frontiersman.com.

Houston 36, Valdez 0

Friday, Houston High School

First quarter:

Houston — Ross 32 pass from Hershman (kick failed) 11:47.

Houston — Sasiu 49 punt return (kick failed) 10:49.

Houston — Plumb 3 run (Whitted kick) 6:08.

Second quarter:

Houston — Plumb 34 pass from Hershman (Whitted kick) 11:49.

Third quarter:

Houston — W. Croghan 7 run (Whitted kick) 4:08.

Fourth quarter:

Houston — Whitted 23 field goal, 11:55.

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS:

RUSHING — Valdez: Sodergren 10-33, Chadwick 8-21, Dunsworth 2-(-3), Baczuk 2- (-10), Howard 1-2; Houston: W. Croghan 13-72, Fono 6-93, G. Mulhaney 6-68, Wilson 4-13, Collins 1-37, Goodman 1-13, McLaughlin 1-9, Bolduc 1-7, Plumb 1-3, T. Croghan 1-2, Baird 1-1.

PASSING — Valdez: Baczuk 1-7-2—29; Houston: Hershman 2-2-0—66, G. Mulhaney 4-4-1—35, McLaughlin 0-3-0—00.

RECEIVING — Valdez: Letendre 1-29; Houston: W. Croghan 2-8, Plumb 1-33, Ross 1-32, Wilson 1-22, Goodman 1-11.