Houston defense shines in lopsided win over Kodiak

HOUSTON — Houston’s play on defense has been a big part of the Hawks success in 2023, and that continued Friday night,

The Hawks returned a pair of interceptions for touchdowns and held Kodiak to only 19 total yards during a 47-6 Division III victory over the Bears at Houston High School.

“They played amazing today,” Houston head coach Jared Barrett said after the win. “The kids are flying around the ball. They understand their assignments, and they really executed.”

Hunter Craig returned an interception 60 yards for a score in the second quarter, and Robert Mitchell grabbed a tipped pass out of the air and had a 3-yard score off an interception in the second half. Noah Whitted also had a long interception return for a touchdown that was negated by a penalty after the pick.

The Hawks held Kodiak to 19 total yards, 12 passing and seven rushing on 32 carries. The Bears had only two first downs, one on the first offensive drive of the night and another on their last drive. Houston was tagged with a 5-yard defensive penalty on each of those first downs.

The Hawks also recovered a fumble.

Kodiak’s lone touchdown, a 4-yard scoring pass midway through the second quarter, came on a short field set up by a 71-yard kickoff return to the 10-yard line.

Houston improved to 6-1 with the win, and are allowing an average of only 7.6 points per game. Houston has not given up more than 13 in a single game this season.

“The kids have bought into the system,” Barrett said. “They do their jobs. They rally around each other.”

And the offense wasn’t too shabby either Friday night.

Senior quarterback Carter Seime connected with senior receiver Keldin Nicoll three times, all for touchdowns. Nicoll caught passes of 2, 20 and 3 yards for scores.

Whitted, a junior running back, rushed for 127 yards on 13 carries. Whitted scored a 27-yard touchdown on Houston’s second play from scrimmage and added a 49-yard touchdown run, weaving through the Kodiak defense in the fourth.

Houston closes its regular season Saturday at Redington. The Huskies dropped to 0-7 with a 64-6 loss to Homer Friday.

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