Run, defense leads Hawks

Aug. 14, 2005

JEREMIAH BARTZ\Frontiersman sports editor

HOUSTON -- The Houston Hawks have a simple formula for success. Run the ball, and play sound defense.

The Hawks ran the ball, played solid defense, and Saturday walked off Houston High School field with a 34-0 win over Valdez.

Houston senior Brad Erickson ran for a game-high 138 yards on 21 carries, and scored a touchdown. Mallory Smyth added two more scores.

On defense, Erickson notched one of three interceptions by the Houston defense.

Erickson, who moved from the offensive line to the backfield just one week ago, scored on the first play from scrimmage. The former lineman rumbled into the right corner of the end zone from 14 yards out to give the Hawks a 7-0 lead.

"He did what we wanted him to do," Houston head coach Norm Bouchard said. "He took care of the ball, and gave us some hard nosed running. He got us to move the ball up and down the field."

The touchdown on the first offensive play of the season, was the first of Erickson's life.

"I always wanted to run the ball, ever since I was little," Erickson said.

Smyth also gave the Hawks some solid running through the middle of an experienced Houston offensive line. The fullback notched a 5-yard touchdown run in the second quarter, and scored from two yards out in the third.

Karl Thistle, Houston's leading rusher last season, was used sparingly while he recovers from a back injury, but scored a 9-yard touchdown run in the third quarter.

"With the three-back offense we have, we have a lot of options with those guys," Bouchard said.

Houston also scored through the air. Ryan Thamm connected with David Montiel on a 25-yard scoring strike in the third quarter.

A trio of Houston interceptions killed Valdez drives in the first half. Erickson, Thamm and linebacker Chris Minsch each picked off Adam Failing passes.

"They were trying to throw the ball a little bit out on the flats, and we were able to see what they were doing," Bouchard said. "Valdez always tries to get a little throwing in, but they're a third-year program still learning to play football.