Hawks soar past Seward

HOUSTON -- Following their loss to Wasilla last week, Houston High head coach Mat Bredburg said playing the 4A schools will only make his team better.

Bredburg was right.

"Our guys believe they can play," Bredburg said. "They think they are a pretty good football team."

Again Bredburg was right.

Going into Saturday's contest against Seward, the Hawks needed a pair of victories to earn a berth in the 3A state playoffs. Houston is now one step closer after clobbering the Seawaks 60-6 at the Houston High Field Saturday.

"We are in playoff mode right now," Bredburg said. "We had the attitude that this is the first week of our playoffs. We lose and we are out."

Taylor Richey was a thorn in the side of the Seward Seahawks for the entire contest. The senior scored four touchdowns, ran for 123 yards and caught four passes for 92 yards.

Richey scored touchdowns in nearly every possible way. He returned a punt 44 yards for a score in the first quarter to give Houston a 14-0 lead in the first quarter. Richey caught and ran for a touchdown in the second quarter and added his second touchdown catch of the game in the third

quarter.

Richey played most of the game at his flanker position, but also spelled starting quarterback Peter Clemens in the first half.

Houston took an early lead, scoring on their first possession. The Hawks drove down the field on five runs by fullback Jed Martinson. The senior capped off the drive with a one-yard touchdown run. Martinson ran for 34 yards on the drive.

Just minutes into the second quarter with Houston leading 14-0, Clemens found Richey streaking down the sideline. Clemens delivered the pass and Richey snagged the pass with one hand and outran the Seward defense for a 63 yard touchdown.

Later in the quarter Clemens found Cody Redford for his second touchdown pass of the game.

D.J. Sandidge returned an interception 31 yards for a touchdown in the fourth quarter.

Sandidge also recovered a fumble for the Hawk defense. Fellow Hawk Steven Dubose notched a sack which forced the loose ball, Sandidige recovered to give Houston possession.

Technically, Sandidge recovered fumbles on two consecutive plays. On the play prior to the Dubose sack, Sandidge recovered a ball caughed up by the Seward offense. The play was negated due to a Houston penalty. Seward fumbled the ball six times during the game, but only lost one.

The Hawks eclipsed the 400-yard mark in total offense, with 284 yards on the ground and 143 yards through the air. In addition to Richey's 123 yards, Martinson ran for 64 yards and Smith added 61 yards on the ground for Houston.

Clemens completed nine passes, finding four different receivers.

Houston now only needs a win over Anchorage Christian on Friday to advance to the playoffs.

News and notes … Houston running back Travis Smith added two touchdowns late in the game … Every player in a Hawk uniform saw action in the contest … The squads combined for 22 penalties in the game … Houston had 22 first downs in the game, including 13 in the first half.