Undefeated champions. The Houston eighth-grade football team completed a perfect run through the Ozarks Football League last week with a convincing 38-0 thumping of Waynesville in the championship game.
Houston finished with a 5-0 record.
“They have the mentality we’re trying to establish at the high school level –– it doesn’t matter what the name is on the front of the jersey. They expect that we’re going to win,” Houston coach Eric Sloan said.
Daniel Hutcheson earned player of the week honors by rushing for 195 yards and three touchdowns. Chris Cichon added 109 yards and a pair of scores. Ty Franklin also had a touchdown.
Hutcheson led the Houston defense with four tackles and recovered a fumble. Trevor Mitchell and Ethan Clifton had three apiece.
Houston edged Waynesville 8-6 in the regular-season matchup. The championship sequel wasn’t close.
The Tigers led 12-0 at the end of the first quarter and had a 26-point halftime advantage. Waynesville forfeited the last seven minutes of the game.
“It was over from the opening kickoff,” Sloan said. “We pretty well dominated from the beginning.”
Sloan said he hopes the OFL success will lead into the school year.
“Hopefully we can run with the momentum,” Sloan said. “It was good to see some of the high school kids there. They’re excited and ready for these eighth-graders to come up.”