THAYER –– The Houston High School football team is greatly improved. But as a lopsided loss at Thayer proves, there is still work to be done.
Off to a 3-1 mark for the first time since 2008, the Tigers’ hot start came to an abrupt end Friday night. HHS struggled mightily offensively and had little luck stopping Thayer’s big plays. The result was a 64-7 defeat.
“They just lined up and whooped us,” Tigers coach Eric Sloan said, “and we took it.”
Sloan said Thayer simply played physical football and the Tigers (3-2, 1-2 South Central Association) didn’t respond.
“We’ve got to put our big boy pants on,” Sloan said. “They punched us in the mouth and we just didn’t respond. We didn’t answer the bell.”
Thayer completely outmatched HHS is every category. The Bobcats (4-1, 2-1 SCA) had a 419-99 advantage in total yards and scored at least two touchdowns in every quarter. They led 34-7 at the half.
Houston’s offense struggled to just five first downs –– three coming on the final drive against Thayer’s second defensive unit. The Tigers punted a season-high eight times.
“We’ve got to try to figure something out offensively to move the ball,” Sloan said. “We’ll try to find some answers because right now we aren’t getting it done.”
Thayer quarterback Ayden Henry was 8-of-15 passing for 212 yards and three touchdowns. Braydon Pender had 14 carries for 121 yards and three scores.
The Bobcats limited HHS to 75 rushing yards on 26 carries. Chance Hunter led the way with 12 rushes for 39 yards.
Houston quarterback Nathan Poynter was 4-for-14 for 24 yards and two interceptions.
The Tigers’ lone points were scored midway through the second quarter when senior Ethan Kelley fielded a kickoff at the 5-yard line and returned it for a touchdown.
“He’s a dangerous man. Athlete for athlete, I’d put him against anyone around here. He’s a freak of an athlete,” Sloan said. “He does things most people can’t do. It’s fun to watch him with the ball in his hands.”
Houston trailed 28-7 after Kelley’s 95-yard return and were behind by 27 points at the half.
The turbo clock went into effect for the first time this season when Henry connected with Matt Griffith for a 27-yard score 3:58 into the third quarter.
“Credit to those guys. They were bigger, faster and stronger. It looks like they’ve been in the weight room a long time,” Sloan said. “That’s the worst part of trying to build this thing. We’re behind physically. That was evident tonight. They are a strong bunch of boys.”
Pender gave the Bobcats their first points on a 4-yard run at the 3:37 mark of the first quarter. Just over a minute later, it was 14-0 after William Tillman intercepted a pass and returned it 36 yards for a score.
After Henry’s second touchdown pass and a 12-yard score by Pender, Kelley took the ensuing kickoff and weaved his way 95 yards to the end zone. Freshman CJ Lee converted the PAT to make it 28-7.
Thayer, which scored 49 seconds before the half following an interception, led 49-7 after three quarters.
Sloan said the lopsided outcome was part of the process of turning around a program that was a combined 3-47 the five years entering the 2015 season.
“It’s either turn in the stuff or let’s go to work. I didn’t sign up to turn it in,” Sloan said. “It’s not going to be fun. It’s a process. You’ve got to keep punching the time clock and sooner or later it will turn.”
BOX SCORE
| Houston | 0 | 7 | 0 | 0 | – | 7 |
| Thayer | 14 | 20 | 15 | 15 | – | 64 |
First Quarter
THA –– Pender 4 run (Tyler kick), 3:37
THA –– Tillman 36 interception return (Tyler kick), 2:33
Second Quarter
THA –– Kaffka 47 pass from Henry (Tyler kick), 8:41.
THA –– Pender 12 run (Tyler kick), 6:47.
HOU –– EKelley 95 kickoff return (CLee kick), 6:32.
THA –– Hargrove 40 pass from Henry (kick failed), 0:49.
Third Quarter
THA –– Griffith 27 pass from Henry (Pender run), 8:02.
THA –– Pender 45 run (Tyler kick), 3:44.
Fourth Quarter
THA –– Henry 32 run (Tyler kick), 9:12.
THA –– Young 12 run (Poulette run), 5:13.
| HOU | THA | |
| First downs | 5 | 14 |
| Total yards | 99 | 419 |
| Rushes-yards | 26-75 | 41-207 |
| Passing | 24 | 212 |
| Punt returns | 0 | 49 |
| Kickoff returns | 161 | 3 |
| Comp-att-int | 4-14-2 | 8-15-0 |
| Sacked-yards lost | 2-16 | 1-8 |
| Punts | 8-31.1 | 3-31.3 |
| Fumbles-lost | 0-0 | 3-0 |
| Penalties-yards | 5-46 | 2-20 |
INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS
RUSHING –– Houston, Hunter 12-39, Dixon 3-19, Adkison 2-17, EKelley 1-5, Logan 4-7, Poynter 4-(minus 12). Thayer, Pender 14-121, Griffith 12-45, Young 4-25, Henry 8-9, Hargrove 1-7, Tate 1-3, Kaffka 1-(minus 3).
PASSING –– Houston, Poynter 4-14-1 24. Thayer, Henry 8-15-0 212.
RECEIVING –– Houston, Knarr 2-16, Clifton 1-8, Logan 1-0. Thayer, Kaffka 2-85, Hargrove 3-75, Griffith 1-27, Tillman 1-15, Pender 1-10.
Week 5 scores
Thayer 64, Houston 7
Mountain Grove 41, Cabool 7
Ava 26, Salem 21
Liberty 57, Willow Springs 14
Week 6 games
Ava at Houston
Thayer at Cabool
Liberty at Mountain Grove
Willow Springs at Salem