Houston football squad opens season with win

Aug. 15, 2006

By Jeremiah Bartz/Frontiersman

DELTA - Going into the 2006 season, Houston head football coach Norm Bouchard knew there were some lingering questions that still needed to be answered.

The Hawks return virtually everyone at the skill positions, but there are a completely new set of players up front.

Houston answered some of those questions Saturday, running to a 41-19 win over the Delta Huskies in Delta Junction.

Making the 22-point victory more impressive was the fact the Hawks were missing a handful of starters, all at the skill positions.

&#8220Forty-one points against a pretty decent football team, without five starters” Bouchard said. &#8220(Delta) is a lot better football team then they've been the last couple of years.

&#8220That's why this is such a great win,” Bouchard added. &#8220We can be a better football team than that.”

Houston quarterback Ryan Thamm, running backs Karl Thistle and Israel Morales and wide receivers Donovan Parker and Blake Elder were held out of action because of various nagging injuries. Nothing that will threaten their seasons, Bouchard said, but enough to be cautious.

‘I want to win, but I want to keep them healthy,” Bouchard said. &#8220I want these guys to be healthy for life, and not just for me.”

Filling a hole at the tailback spot was James Sumner. The speedy sophomore burnt Delta for 283 yards rushing and three touchdowns.

&#8220He's very shifty,” Bouchard said. &#8220Fun to watch.”

Sumner scored a pair of his touchdowns in the Houston ground game, and returned a kickoff 80 yards for a score. Bouchard said Sumner could prove to be a nice contrast to bigger backs such as Thistle and Morales, and provide something to the Houston attack the Hawks have not had in a while.

&#8220More depth absolutely,” Bouchard said. &#8220We could give ourselves more opportunities, a different punch.”

James Steed, filling in at the fullback spot, posted 46 yards rushing and a touchdown. Quinten Viet, under center in place of Thamm, also scored a touchdown.

Thistle was able to playing sparingly for the Hawks. He ran the ball twice, and notched a 2-yard score. He worked a handful of plays on defense in the second half.

&#8220In six plays he had four tackles, a sack and caused a fumble,” Bouchard said. &#8220He stood out the times he played.”

Viet led the Hawks on defense with 11 tackles and an interception. Houston cornerback Brian Mason also picked off a Delta pass.

Houston will meet Delta twice this season, normally a rarity in prep football. Bouchard said the teams agreed prior to the game that this will be the contest that's counted in the official Great Land Conference standings. The Hawks host the Huskies, Sept. 15 at 5 p.m.

Houston travels to Valdez this week to meet the Buccaneers at 1 p.m. on Saturday.

Small-school roundup

Each of the teams that advanced to the 3A state title game last year started out this season 0-1.

Reigning 3A state champion Kenai suffered a 39-0 loss to defending 4A state champion Juneau-Douglas.

Homer upset Eielson, last season's runner-up, 12-7 i the Interior.

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