Wasilla earns big win over Hawks

HOUSTON — It was a legendary kind of night at Terry Shurleff Field.

The Houston Hawks celebrated the commemoration of its new artificial turf field and the rare opportunity to host a Valley rival. Even National Football League Hall of Famer Larry Csonka was there.

But even though the Hawks struck first against Wasilla, it was the Warriors offense that could not be stopped as WHS scored 49 unanswered points en route to a 49-6 win over the Hawks Friday night.

Houston reserve quarterback Kruz Kleiwein took advantage of a Wasilla fumble early. Deep in their own territory, the Warriors coughed up the ball and Kleiwein would use the opportunity to drive the Hawks offense deep into Warrior territory and eventually score from eight yards out on a quarterback keeper.

“That’s a confidence booster,” said Houston running back Waylon Soptick about getting on the scoreboard first.

Houston, a medium-schools program with an enrollment of about 400, took the field with a mere fraction of the number of players the Warriors had in uniform. Nine Hawks played every snap of the game. But going against a large school strikes no fear into the Hawks.

“I’m not scared of anybody,” said Soptick, who weighs 165 pounds with a bruising running style that often has him carrying would-be tacklers.

Wasilla’s high-powered offense did not waste any time after the Houston touchdown. Driving onto the Hawks side of the field, the Warriors used size to their advantage. Senior quarterback Josiah Williams took the snap and completed the pass to Isaiah Dawkins running a fade route to the end zone.

“We wanted to work the passing game in. We know that to be successful down the road, or against anybody, we’re going to have to pass,” Wasilla head coach Kent Rilatos said.

Four plays later, a Houston fumble led to another air strike, this time a 50-yard pass to Cash McGregor, who danced his way around Hawks defensive backs and into the end zone.

With injuries plaguing the Hawks backfield, Houston’s offensive hopes are on the shoulders of Soptick. The senior did not shy away from contact, often lunging with utter disregard for his personal safety, all in the effort to move the chains for his team. On a mission to stop Soptick was Wasilla inside linebacker Hunter Hermans. Hermans’ aggressive style of play got him called offside late in the first quarter, but he took those penalty yards back when he sniffed out and ruined a Hawks reverse attempt in the backfield, tackling Mitch Ruta for a loss of seven yards.

Csonka, a former Miami Dolphins running back and NFL legend, was in attendance and said he was pleased to see the hard-nosed style of Soptick and Hermans.

“I’ve seen him pull some people over,” Csonka said of Soptick. “They’re two sparkplugs, 44 has been deadly on his tackles.”

Csonka also praised the new facilities at Terry Shurtleff Field

“I was delighted to see what a great stadium they have now,” Csonka said.

Williams showed off his athleticism from the quarterback position, taking a bad snap and scrambling around the end only to find himself through the Hawks defense and in the end zone late in the first half.

The second half belonged to Devin Otto. The shifty Wasilla running back squirmed and bounced his way to 153 yards on the night. Otto took a draw play about 10 yards downfield, then reversed his field and beat everybody to the end zone for a 50-yard score. Otto capped off another Wasilla drive in style, going nearly untouched to the end zone for a 13-yard score late in the third quarter. But Otto saved his finest performance for the fourth quarter, as he darted around the edge and sprinted 61 yards to the end zone. Zack Garnett also rushed for a touchdown in the fourth quarter for the Warriors.

Despite the lopsided score, Houston was proud to battle the Warriors on their home field. When Kleiwein went in for the score in the first quarter, the home crowd erupted.

“It’s a great feeling to get the victory. Houston really came out fired up and we knew we had to concentrate and make adjustments correctly to be successful,” Rilatos said. “And in the end we were able to play hard-nosed Wasilla football.”

Wasilla 49, Houston 6

Friday, Houston High School

First quarter:

Houston — Kleewein 8 run (pass failed).

Wasilla — Dawkins 30 pass from Williams (O’Laughlin kick).

Wasilla — McGregor 50 pass from Williams (kick failed).

Second quarter:

Wasilla — Williams 13 run (Wiliams run).

Third quarter:

Wasilla — Otto 50 run (O’Laughlin kick).

Wasilla — Otto 13 run (O’Laughlin kick).

Fourth quarter:

Wasilla — Otto 61 run (O’Laughlin kick).

Wasilla — Garnett 7 run (O’Laughlin kick).

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS:

RUSHING — Wasilla: Otto 12-153, Williams 3-39, Thomas 3-10, Garnett 2-9, McGregor 1-(-9); Houston: Soptick 20-29, Kleewein 9-32, Barclay 4-5, Tucheck 3-11, Ruta 2-(-13).

PASSING — Wasilla: Williams 12-14-0—215; Houston: Soptick 1-3-1—21, Kleewein 2-4-1—10.

RECEIVING — Wasilla: Dawkins 3-88, McGregor 3-65, Dedrick 2-18, Klein 1-18, No. 10 1-15, Thomas 1-7, O’Laughlin 1-4; Houston: Sopitck 2-10, Kleewein 2-21.