Hawks run by Whalers

WASILLA — As Houston entertained defending Division III state champion Barrow Aug. 24, the difference between the small-schools football rivals was crystal clear.

“They’re big, we’re fast. But I guess speed won,” Houston head coach Glenn Nelson said of a 30-6 win over the Whalers earlier this week.

Apete Sasiu and Owen Mulhaney each scored a pair of touchdowns to help the Hawks beat a Barrow program that earned its first state football title last fall. Nelson said the Whalers team that took the field Friday in Houston was certainly comparable to the squad that won it all last year.

“They’re really similar,” Nelson said. “To be honest, last year it felt like they seemed more energetic when we played them up in Barrow. Big thing, we had been on the road for two weeks and last year they were at home for two weeks in a row. Big difference.”

Nelson said the experience gained by playing Eagle River during the opening week of the season helped. Even though Eagle River beat Houston 42-12, Barrow has some similarities with Eagle River, mainly size.

“The kids learned how to block those guys,” Nelson said.

Nelson said additions to the coaching staff have also helped. Kyle Lucey, one of Nelson’s high school football teammates in their hometown of Eureka, Montana, has been a big help with a young offensive line. Nelson also noted former Houston standout Ben Pelesasa, and his older brother Branden, as key additions to the coaching staff.

“They’ve made a big difference,” Nelsons said.

Despite a size difference at certain spots up front, the Hawks were able to create holes, Nelson said, and the Houston backs took advantage.

“Give them a little sliver, and they were gone,” Nelson

Sasiu scored a rushing touchdown and returned a punt for another score. Kennedy Fono added a 56-yard scoring run for the Hawks, who improved to 2-1 with the win.

Nelson said a key series in the game came in the first quarter. After a 3-and-out on their first offensive drive, Houston responded with a 14-play scoring drive that gave the Hawks a 6-0 lead on their second possession.

“We felt like the team changed,” Nelson said.

After beating the defending Division III state champ, Houston now looks ahead to Homer, which finished as the runner-up in 2017. The Hawks host the Mariners Friday at 7 p.m. in Houston.

“It was a super close (championship game) and we get both teams back-to-back,” Nelson said.

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