Hawks score big win in Ketchikan

WASILLA — Clinging to a small lead late and facing 4th-and-6 at their own 35-yard line, the Houston coaching staff decided to roll the dice.

Houston’s Apete Sasiu rushed for a six-yard gain on a designed fake punt with just more than a minute left in regulation, and the Hawks held on for a 22-20 win over previously undefeated Ketchikan Friday night in Ketchikan.

“We had to convert on fourth down,” Houston head coach Glenn Nelson said by phone from Ketchikan late Friday night. “We talked about it. We had been gaining three or four yards in the second half, not five or six. He hadn’t shown fake all year, but we’ve been practicing for the past few weeks.”

Nelson said the Hawks, now 4-1, were elated after the win. Ketchikan, which dropped from Division II to Division III during the offseason, started the season 3-0, scoring an average of 63 points per game.

“They literally have more seniors than players were brought down,” Nelson said.

Houston has now won four straight. The stretch includes wins over defending state champion Barrow, 2017 state runner-up Homer and Ketchikan, Division III’s top team heading into Week 5.

“The kids have a lot of confidence now. We faced Barrow with their size, Homer with their speed, and senior-heavy Ketchikan team that has a good quarterback,” Nelson said.

Ketchikan senior quarterback Brenden Wong tossed for six touchdown passes during a win over Nikiski last week. Nelson said Houston defensive coordinator Jared Barrett was tasked with putting together a game plan on a short week. With Labor Day on Monday and a travel day on Thursday, Houston had only two days of practice to prepare for a Ketchikan offense that shows multiple looks.

“They try to formation you to death,” Nelson said. “We spent a lot of time working on what to do (against each formation).”

Houston was able to jump to an early 14-0 lead. Nelson said the Hawks were sparked for a handful of long runs. Kennedy Fono, Owen Mulhaney and Gavin Mulhaney each finished with a rushing touchdown. Sasiu notched a pair of two-point conversions.

Houston never trailed in the win.

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