Tigers refuse to lose

There is no quit in these Houston Tigers.

Down 28-7 at halftime, it didn’t look promising.

Trailing by 22 points with 10 minutes, 33 seconds remaining, the game appeared over.

But this isn’t the same HHS football team.

“Last year, we would have quit. We had no heart,” senior Nathan Poynter said. “Coach (Eric) Sloan made us believe in ourselves.”

The Tigers pulled off an improbable come-from-behind victory Friday night in front of a cowbell ringing, black-and-red clad crowd in the 2015 home opener. On the strength of two huge fourth-down plays – a stop by the defense and conversion by the offense – the Tigers pulled within a point with 28.4 seconds remaining and took their first lead when running back Chance Hunter danced into the end zone for the two-point conversion.

Ethan Kelley picked off St. James quarterback Brett Karnes on the next play from scrimmage and the comeback was complete.

Houston 36, St. James 35.

“I’ve never experienced anything like this,’” Sloan said. “The kids kept fighting and battling. They weren’t going to lose.”

HHS won its season opener 16-7 the previous week at Hollister to snap a 16-game losing skid. This victory – made possible with 23 unanswered points in the fourth quarter – gave the Tigers their first 2-0 start since 2008

“I teared up a little last week,” senior Matt Knarr said. “This week I was bawling.”

The pivotal moments began with 3:20 remaining.

On fourth-and-1 from the Houston 41-yard-line, the Tigers’ defense swarmed Karnes at the line of scrimmage on a quarterback keeper. He was tackled a foot short of the first down, giving HHS possession and 60 yards to go to tie or win the game.

The Tigers moved to the St. James 37 before the drive slowed. After a 1-yard run and two incomplete passes, they faced fourth-and-9 with 1:16 remaining.

Following a timeout, the drive stayed alive as Poynter floated a long pass toward the left sideline that Knarr spun and caught as he fell to the ground for a 25-yard gain.

“I knew Matt could beat him on the outside,” Poynter said. “All I had to do was put a ball in his area to catch, and he made the play.”

Three plays later, the Tigers pulled within a point as Hunter scooted into the end zone for the fourth time. With his team trailing 35-34, Sloan called timeout. He said it was a unanimous decision on the sidelines to go for the win.

HHS again went to Hunter, who juked a defender in the backfield and slid into the end zone to put the Tigers in front and set off a wild celebration.

“That play was not there,” Sloan said. “They got in the backfield. Chance danced a little bit and our line kept pushing. I don’t think he got touched. He just danced right in there.”

Kelley’s interception sealed St. James’ fate, and the Tigers for the second week in a row lined up in victory formation to conclude the game.

As the team celebrated, many were moved to tears, including Sloan.

“The hard work is paying off. I’m so proud of these kids for sticking with it,” Sloan said. “We haven’t experienced success around here. That’s part of going for it at the end. I don’t want to be average. Let’s go for 2-0.”

Hunter led the HHS offensive attack with 34 carries for 193 yards and four scores. Knarr had a two-yard touchdown run – his first of the season – and Ethan Kelly had a conversion run.

Karnes was 21-of-33 for 223 yards and four scores. He also carried the ball 28 times for 66 yards.

St. James (1-1) jumped ahead 14-0 and extended its advantage to 28-7 at the half by scoring a pair of touchdowns in the final 1:20 of the second quarter.

Sloan said he challenged his team at halftime.

“He basically told us it was time to put our big boy pants on and go to work,” Poynter said.

St. James led 35-13 following Karnes’ fourth touchdown pass early in the fourth quarter.

Knarr’s two-yard run followed by Ethan Kelley’s two-point conversion made it 35-21 with 8:04 left. Hunter scored from 13 yards away at the 5:17 mark to make it 35-28.

Houston got the fourth-down stop on St. James’ next possession to set up the winning drive.

“There are no words to describe how everyone is feeling,” Poynter said.

More than 30 minutes after the game, Knarr was still emotional.

“None of us have had this in our high school careers,” he said. “I just want to keep it going. I want this town to have a winning team again.”

BOX SCORE

First Quarter

SJ –– Casto 25 pass from Karnes (Courtois kick), 8:12

Second Quarter

SJ –– Casto 6 pass from Karnes (Courtois kick), 10:23.

HOU –– Hunter 1 run (LKelley kick), 9:31.

SJ –– Harlan 32 pass from Karnes (Courtois kick), 1:20.

SJ –– Lynch 8 run (Courtois kick), 0:18.

Third Quarter

HOU –– Hunter 12 run (kick failed), 6:51.

Fourth Quarter

SJ –– Harlan 23 pass from Karnes (Courtois kick), 10:33.

HOU –– Knarr 2 run (EKelley run), 8:04.

HOU –– Hunter 13 run (LKelley kick), 5:17.

HOU –– Hunter 2 run (Hunter run), 0:28.

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

RUSHING – St. James, Lynch 12-79, Karnes 28-66, Harlan 1-1. Houston, Hunter 34-193, Logan 4-40, EKelley 4-34, Knarr 3-12, Poynter 6-(-18).

PASSING – St. James, Karnes 21-33-1 223. Houston, Poynter 4-13-1 51.

RECEIVING – St. James, Harlan 10-133, Casto 5-46, Phillips 1-29, Lynch 3-18, Glidden 1-5, Yamnitz 1-(minus-5). Houston, Knarr 2-31, WWelch 1-11, EKelley 1-9.

Week 2 scores

Houston 36, St. James 35

Hollister 22, Cabool 13

Marionville 46, Willow Springs 7

Reeds Spring 27, Salem 21 (OT)

Thayer 44, Strafford 16

Liberty 49, Springfield Catholic 12

Ava 45, El Dorado Springs 16

Mountain Grove 15, Cassville 6

Week 3 games

Salem at Houston

Ava at Mountain Grove

Cabool at Willow Springs

Liberty at Thayer