Houston posts first shutout

HOUSTON The tone was set early Friday night when Houstons Casey Bullock returned the opening kickoff 75 yards for a touchdown.

The Hawks never looked back, as they pounded Palmers junior varsity squad 52-0 to run their record to 2-0.

Houston was riding a wave of momentum after last weeks victory over Homer, their first win ever against a 4A team, and it showed, as the Hawks scored early and often against the junior Moose.

Jeff Nagel rushed for 215 yards on 16 carries and scored three touchdowns, keying Houstons tremendous ground game. Eight of Nagels rushing attempts went for at least 10 yards.

Houston racked up a total of 408 yards on the ground, with running backs Jorden Bush, Casey Bullock and Travis Webb combining for 174 more yards.

Quarterback Craig Seime did a capable job for the Hawks, completing three of eight passes and throwing one interception. For the most part, Seime was content to let the running game take care of business. Seime scored on a 4-yard touchdown run, a PAT run, and two PAT passes.

The Hawks defense did their part, holding Palmer to 136 yards of offense. While the Moose were able to move the ball effectively they earned nine first downs they were never able to sustain a drive, and were crippled by six turnovers.

The Hawks forced five Palmer fumbles, recovering four of those, and Travis Webb and Josh Christensen picked off Palmer quarterback Ben Conroy.

Christensen was also Houstons leading receiver, with 32 yards.

Joe Foster had two sacks for the Hawks.

The Moose managed to stop Houston twice once when Dustin Richmond intercepted Seime, and once on downs after Houston faced a second down and 30 situation because of penalties.

Conroy put on a respectable showing for the Moose, completing 6 of 13 passes for 78 yards. Adam Norton led Palmers ground game with 41 yards.

The 52-point drubbing marked Houstons largest margin of victory ever, and its first shutout.

Houston hopes to continue its winning ways next week when the Hawks open their conference schedule against the Glennallen Panthers, a team they beat twice last year.

PALMER JV000 0 0

HOUSTON822814 52

First Quarter

Houston Bullock 75 kick return (Seime run).

Second Quarter

Houston Bullock 17 run (pass failed).

Houston Nagel 26 run (Bullock pass from Seime).

Houston Seime 4 run (Webb run).

Third Quarter

Houston Nagel 7 run (Christensen pass from Seime).

Fourth Quarter

Houston Nagel 5 run (Clemens run).

Houston Bush 17 run (run failed).

PALMER JVHOUSTON

First downs911

Rushes/yards24-5833-408

Passing yards7838

Passing6-13-23-8-1

Fumbles/lost5-40-0

Penalties2-154-30

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

RUSHING Palmer JV: Norton 12-41, Smith 9-31, Harmeling 1-(-2), Conroy 3-(-12).Houston: Nagel 16-215, Bush 4-68, Webb 2-55, Bullock 7-51, Seime 4-19.

PASSING Palmer JV: Conroy 6-13-2-78. Houston: Seime 3-8-1-38.

RECEIVING Palmer JV: Oomituk 2-33, Richmond 2-26, Norton 1-12, Harmeling 1-7. Houston: Christensen 2-32, Nagel 1-6.