Houston young, but Hawks optimistic about season

By JEREMIAH BARTZ

Frontiersman.com

HOUSTON — The Houston Hawks have only one senior with experience as a starter. It could be a scary statistic for some. But fortunately for the Hawks, Houston boasts a bevy of players who cracked the starting lineup early in their career.

“We should be competitive this year,” Houston head coach Glenn Nelson said recently. “We’re extremely young, but the kids who are young have varsity experience.”

Leading that group is junior lineman Reed Graham, who enters his third season as a starter. Nelson said Graham, a standout at both guard and defensive tackle, will also be a team captain this year as a junior.

“He’s our bridge from the seniors who left to the underclassmen,” Nelson said. “Most people treat him like a senior. He’s got the experience.”

On offense, Graham will help pave the way for Houston’s lone returning senior starter, running back Ben Pelesasa.

Nelson said Pelesasa, who bulldozed his way to nearly 500 yards rushing and three touchdowns as a junior, has made improvements to his game. Pelesasa attended a camp at the University of Montana, and garnered the attention of UM running backs coach Justin Green. As Pelesasa worked to add another dimension to his game during the offseason, Nelson said the player lost about 15 pounds in the process. Pelesasa will be part of a retooled Houston offense, that features a variety of options and some misdirection, patterned to follow the precedent set by Alaska rushing powers such as Soldotna and Nikiski.

“We’re going to change it up a little bit,” Nelson said.

The Hawks have Robert Ritter at quarterback, who has varsity experience under center. Noah Plumb returns as the team’s tight end, and Malaki Barrett is making the move from center to fullback.

Nelson said the Hawks also have newcomer Paul Mat’u to join Graham in a guard tandem on the offensive line.

Barrett, Graham and Wyatt Mulhaney are expected to lead the Hawks on the defensive side of the ball.

Houston, which finished 4-4 last season, starts the 2016 campaign Friday at Kodiak. The home opener is Aug. 19 against Eagle River.

The Hawks finished a perfect 4-0 at home last season. This year, the Hawks have home dates against Eagle River, Aurora Conference rivals Eielson (Sept. 9) and Barrow (Sept. 24), and first-year varsity program Redington (Sept. 30).

The road schedule also includes games at Voznesenka (Aug. 27), Monroe (Sept. 2) and Valdez (Sept. 17).

HOUSTON HAWKS

Head coach: Glenn Nelson

Conference: Aurora (small schools)

2015 finish: 4-4, did not make playoffs

Key returners: Ben Pelesasa, Sr., RB/LB; Reed Graham, Jr., OL/DL; Robert Ritter, Jr., QB/DB; Malaki Barrett, Sr., RB/LB; Wyatt Mulhaney, Sr., WR/LB.

Key losses: John Koeneman, OL/DL; Tony Pule, OL/DL; Noah Griffeth, RB/LB.

2016 Schedule

Friday, Aug. 12 Houston at Kodiak, 6 p.m.

Friday, Aug. 19 Eagle River at Houston, 7 p.m.

Friday, Aug 26 Houston at Voznesenka, 7 p.m.

Friday, Sept. 2 Houston at Monroe Catholic, 7 p.m.

Friday, Sept. 9 Eielson at Houston, 7 p.m.

Saturday, Sept. 17 Houston at Valdez, 7 p.m.

Saturday, Sept. 24 Barrow at Houston, 7 p.m.

Friday, Sept. 30 Redington at Houston, 7 p.m.