Houston High honors seniors bound for college football

HOUSTON — Houston High School seniors Reed Graham and Noah Plumb have quite a few things in common.

Both competed in multiple sports at Houston, and spent four years in the Hawks football programs. Both overcame significant injuries to continue competing. Now, both have the opportunity to play football at the college level.

Surrounded by teammates, classmates, coaches and family, Graham and Plumb each inked a letter of intent during a ceremony Thursday afternoon at Houston High School. Graham will attend Valley City State in Valley City, North Dakota, and play football for the NAIA Vikings. Plumb will attend the University Minnesota Morris in Morris, Minnesota, and play for the Division III Cougars.

Houston head coach Glenn Nelson said it’s great to see both athletes overcome obstacles and realize their goals. Nelson said their success sends a message to younger players.

“It’s a huge message,” Nelson said. “Keep the grades up, stick with it. Who knows what happens. They had a setback and stuck with it.”

Graham suffered a major knee injury in basketball during his junior year and his senior season of football was in jeopardy. Plumb broke his collarbone prior to his junior year and missed virtually all of the football season. But both took their step toward the next level Wednesday. Graham said overcoming the injury made his most recent accomplishment even more special. After helping lead the Hawks to the Division III state title game as a junior, Graham said he started to believe playing college at the next level was a realistic goal. Then he tore his ACL in basketball just about two months later.

“They were saying I wasn’t going to get cleared into a month into (my senior) season,” Graham said.

But with the help of his doctor and Houston’s former athletic trainer, Carolyn Black, Graham was able to bounce back faster than anyone predicted.

“Coming back from that knee injury was pretty spectacular,” Nelson said.

Not only did Graham return from the knee injury, but also switched positions on defense, moving from defensive line to linebacker, and earned Division III Defensive Player of the Year honors as a senior. Graham, a first-team all-state selection at both linebacker and guard, could play on either side of the ball with the Vikings.

Ideally, Graham said he’d like to play on the defensive line. Initially, Valley City is seeing him as an offensive lineman at the college level.

“Once I get down there, they’re going to figure out where I’m, going to play,” Graham said. “Anywhere I can get onto the field.”

Nelson said Graham possesses the intelligence and drive that gives him the potential to succeed in multiple positions.

“The kid just wins wherever he goes,’ Nelson said. “His motor doesn’t stop. He’s intelligent with a drive to succeed.”

Nelson said he sees the same qualities in Plumb, who played a variety of roles during his time with the Hawks. Nelson praised Plumb on his recovery from the collerbone injury. Plumb was able to return to play in the 2016 Division III state title game.

“Smart kid. Works hard. Loves the game,” Nelson said.

Plumb said he’s been playing hockey since he was about 3 years old, but as soon as he hit the football field for the first time he was hooked.

“I knew I wanted to keep playing,” Plumb said.

Plumb said he hopes to land a spot on the defensive side of the ball.

“I love defense,” Plumb said.

Plumb earned first-team all-state honors at outside linebacker as a senior. Plumb said Morris runs a 5-3 defense, which will help create a smooth transition for him from high school to college.

Plumb, who was named second-team all-state as running back as a senior, emerged as Houston’s top offensive weapon during his final year with the Hawks.

Graham and Plumb both chose programs known for recruiting Alaska talent. Valley City returns four players with ties to the Valley — Colony graduates Cooper Sant, Riley Fredrickson and Ryan Wharry; and Wasilla graduate Dahlton Wasankari, who will be a senior in the fall. Colony senior Martin Jones also recently signed with Valley City.

The Morris roster includes Palmer graduate Chris Yannayon. Palmer senior Jared Oviok committed to Morris last week.

Contact Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman sports editor Jeremiah Bartz at sports@frontiersman.com.