Nine members of the Houston High School football team were selected to the Southwest Missouri Football Coaches Association all-area team.
The Tigers had four second team honorees from the 11-school region. Five received honorable mention recognition.
Keegan Spurlin (offensive line), Chance Hunter (running back), Matt Wheeler (defensive line) and Ethan Kelley (defensive back) were each selected to the second team. Three of the four –– excluding Hunter ––are seniors.
Seniors Kyle Wilson (defensive end), Matt Knarr (defensive back) and Austin Schock (fullback) as well as juniors Connor Clifton (linebacker) and Andy Edwards (offensvie line) received honorable mention.
The region schools are Houston, Ash Grove, Diamond, El Dorado Springs, Fair Grove, Lamar, Liberty, Pleasant Hope, Stockton, Strafford and Willow Springs.
Spurlin was the top offensive lineman among a group of four seniors that paved the way for 1,401 rushing yards in 2015. A majority of those went to Hunter, a transfer from Cabool who carried the ball 217 times for 1,036 yards and 14 touchdowns his first season at Houston.
Wheeler, a defensive tackle, tied for the team lead with 11 tackles for losses. Kelley, playing for the first time since his freshman year, had a team-best 99 tackles from his safety position. He also tied for the team lead with three interceptions.
Wilson had 52 tackles and two sacks at defensive end. Knarr had two interceptions, including one returned for a score. Clifton was third on the team with 72 tackles and forced two fumbles.
Edwards, an offensive lineman, and Schock, a fullback, were both recognized for their blocking efforts.