Coach’s vision becomes reality for HHS football team

HOLLISTER – It began seven months ago. That’s when Eric Sloan placed a vision in his players’ minds.

“We’ve talked about it since January: What’s it going to be like when we’re 1-0?” Sloan said. “We never played the ‘what if’ game. What’s it going to be like 1-0 coming home to our place to play St. James? I think the place is going to blow up.”

It wasn’t a fantasy. It’s a reality for the Houston High School football team.

“Here we are 1-0,” Sloan said.

The Tigers shook off a 16-game losing skid and began what their first-year coach hopes is a new era for the program as they beat Hollister 16-7 in Friday’s season opener.

As the final seconds ticked off the clock, Sloan shared embraces with his coaching staff and players. The team was met on the field by parents and fans – some who showered the team with silly string. It was time to celebrate for a team that hadn’t won a game since September 2013 and last won the season opener in 2008.

“Through the offseason and conditioning – it’s been a grind,” said Sloan, who was named Billy O’Neil’s successor in February. “It’s not been fun. We’re the doormat, and you’ve got to train as such. I’m so thrilled that we got to experience this.”

The Tigers (1-0) weren’t sharp. They lost five of their seven fumbles and threw one interception. But the HHS defense bailed the team out of several self-inflicted jams by holding Hollister to 52 total yards, including just seven on the ground on 34 attempts. Houston had 11 tackles in the backfield.

As he addressed his players on the field, Sloan said last year’s team would have lost the game. But not this year’s version.

“Andy Edwards – I keep talking about him – he has decided as a junior that this is his team,” Sloan said. “He kept saying, ‘We are not going to lose. Pick it up. We’ve got to go.’ I think the kids feed off that.”

The Tigers, who led 7-0 at the half following Nathan Poynter’s 9-yard touchdown pass to Whitley Welch, doubled their lead on Chance Hunter’s 10-yard run to cap the opening drive of the third quarter.

After a 61-yard fumble return by Hollister with 12 seconds left in the third quarter made it 14-7, the Tigers were driving toward another score early in the fourth when Hunter fumbled on the 2-yard line. But he redeemed himself on the very next play as he raced into the backfield and made a tackle in the end zone for a safety.

Hunter gained 102 of his 122 rushing yards in the second half. He had a team-high 25 carries. Ethan Kelley added six carries for 45 yards.

Poynter was 6-for-18 passing for 71 yards with a touchdown and interception. Whitley Welch had two catches for 25 yards to lead Houston.

“We moved the ball,” Sloan said. “Turnovers – it’s the little things. I feel confident and comfortable with what we’re doing. We’ve got some kids who are playmakers. At times you could see some of their playmaking abilities. We’ve just got to correct the little things.”

Houston moved the ball to Hollister’s side of the field on four of its first five possessions but failed to score.

After consecutive sacks by their defense, the Tigers took advantage of a short field for their first points of the season. Poynter capped a quick five-play drive covering 29 yards when he connected with Whitley Welch on a slant from the 9-yard line.

Lucas Kelley, who was 2-for-2 on PATs, converted the extra point to make it 7-0 with 3 minutes, 39 seconds left in the first half.

Austin Schock’s interception on Hollister’s first possession of the second half set up another HHS score. Hunter completed a 41-yard drive when he dashed 10 yards into the end zone to make it 14-0.

After Hollister’s long fumble return that cut the deficit to 14-7, the Tigers turned the ball over again when Poynter was intercepted on the next play from scrimmage.

But the HHS defense – led by four tackles for losses apiece by Hunter and Stetson Welch – forced a four-and-out and was able to overcome four lost fumbles by the offense in the fourth quarter.

Now it’s back to Tiger Stadium on Friday night with a 1-0 record. Just as Sloan envisioned.

“I hope the place is just rocking with red and black,” Sloan said. “Bring your cowbells. I want it to be the loudest, most chaotic atmosphere ever.”

BOX SCORE

Second Quarter

HOU – WWelch 9 pass from Poynter (LKelley kick), 3:39.

Third Quarter

HOU – Hunter 10 run (LKelley kick), 8:07.

HOL – Sutton 61 fumble return (Walton kick), 0:12.

Fourth Quarter

HOU – Safety 4:23.

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

RUSHING – Houston, Hunter 25-122, EKelley 6-45, Knarr 5-19, LKelley 1-7, Logan 1-(-6), Poynter 7-(-20). Hollister, Eason 10-12, Walton 3-6, Franklin 9-5, Lay 2-5, Farquhar 1-(-1), Bekemeir 9-(-11).

PASSING – Houston, Poynter 6-18-1 71. Hollister, Bekemeir 6-19-2 45.

RECEIVING – Houston, WWelch 2-25, EKelley 2-21, Knarr 1-18, Schock 1-7. Hollister, Franklin 4-32. Bottom 1-12, Meismer 1-1.