The Houston High School football team’s 2015 season ended Friday night with a 46-20 loss to Strafford.
The Tigers – under the direction of first-year head coach Eric Sloan finished with a 4-6 record. The win total is more than the previous five years combined as HHS entered the year with three wins in its last 50 games.
Senior Matt Knarr gave Houston an early lead with a 45-yard interception return for a touchdown in the first quarter. And after falling behind 12-7, the Tigers again took the lead when freshman Paydon Dixon found Whitley Welch for a 20-yard score in the second quarter.
Strafford’s Jacob Eden scored from one yard out – the first of his four rushing scores – to give the Indians a 18-14 halftime advantage. The Indians then scored three unanswered touchdowns to go ahead 40-14.
HHS junior Chance Hunter broke the 1,000-yard mark for the season with a 35-yard touchdown run late in the fourth quarter.
Strafford advances to the semifinals to play top-seeded Liberty, which opened the postseason with an 82-12 victory against Pleasant Hope.
Friday’s scores
First round
(4) Strafford 46, (5) Houston 20
(1) MV-Liberty 82, (8) Pleasant Hope 12
(2) Fair Grove 70, (7) Willow Springs 21
(3) Diamond 24, Ash Grove 21
Oct. 30 games
Semifinals
(4) Strafford at (1) MV-Liberty, 7 p.m.
(3) Diamond at (2) Fair Grove, 7 p.m.