Seahawks build early lead, edge Houston in Seward

SEWARD — With only one starter returning on offense and not many more on defense, Houston head coach Glenn Nelson expected his Hawks to face some adversity early in the season.

And Nelson saw some of that in the team’s season-opener Saturday.

Seward built an early lead and edged Houston 14-7 in Seward.

“First half there were some growing pains. In the second half, we beat them 7-0,” Nelson said by cellphone after the game. “We’re excited about the young guys.”

Nelson said, overall, mistakes and turnovers hurt the Hawks. But there were bright spots, the head coach said. Vanu Mose, among a number of new Houston starters, rushed for 87 yards on 11 carries in the loss. Mose scored on a 14-yard run in the third quarter. Nelson said guard John Koeneman excelled on the offensive line, and tight end Kyle Quincy, the team’s lone returning starter on offense, had multiple catches.

Complete statistics were not available as of press time.

Seward scored both of its touchdowns on sweep plays in the first half, and led 14-0 by the midway point of the second quarter, Nelson said.

Houston hosts its home-opener against defending small schools state champion Nikiski Friday at 7 p.m. at HHS.

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