CABOOL –– First win of the season?
Check.
County bragging rights?
Check.
Another win for coach Eric Sloan against his alma mater?
Check.
Houston got a big victory Friday night ––its first in 2017 –– with a wire-to-wire 31-15 win at Cabool.
By maneuvering some of its key offensive personnel, the Tigers jump started their stagnate offense as they snapped a nine-game losing skid.
“I about forgot how that felt,” said Sloan, who improved to 3-0 against Cabool. “It was hard fought. I was proud of the kids. Plenty of opportunities there to self destruct. We faced some adversity, and I was proud of how we responded.”
The HHS offense got going for the first time this season with some backfield changes. Sloan alternated sophomore Dakota Burchett at quarterback with Paydon Dixon, who for the first time also played halfback. The result was 249 rushing yards –– more than the previous three games combined –– and a season-high point total. Houston had 21 total points coming into the game.
“We’ve been leaving opportunities out there,” Sloan said. “I’m pleased with the way we played, and hopefully we can roll with that momentum.”
Senior Evan Richardson had eight carries for a career-best 90 yards, including a 36-yard touchdown run. Dixon had three rushing touchdowns and Burchett sealed the game with a 50-yard score in the fourth quarter.
The Tigers (1-3, 1-1 South Central Association) beat their Texas County rivals for the fourth time in five years –– including three straight under Sloan.
Houston’s passing game didn’t dramatically improve with the quarterback changes. But alternating touches with Richardson and Dixon did.
Houston, which also used its third and fourth centers of the season, had 252 total yards through its first three games.
“We keep looking for answers. We’re trying anything and everything,” Sloan said.
“Paydon is a very good runner. We thought if we put him in the backfield as a runner, that was a little better than having the ball directly snapped to him.”
The HHS defense held Cabool to three first downs and 142 total yards. A big chunk came on a 56-yard hook-and-ladder touchdown with 6 minutes, 7 seconds remaining in the game.
A key special teams play set up Houston’s first score as freshman Daniel Hutcheson blocked a first-quarter punt. He recovered the ball and tossed it to teammate Aiden Sawyer for a touchdown, but the play was called back for an illegal lateral.
Two plays later, Richardson took his first handoff 36 yards to put Houston in front 6-0.
After turnovers on two straight possessions of their own, the Tigers recovered a fumble midway through the second quarter to set up their second score. HHS covered 20 yards in four plays and led 12-0 on Dixon’s one-yard plunge.
“I thought our offensive line did a great job of controlling the line of scrimmage,” Sloan said.
HHS, which led 12-7 at the half, extended its advantage via another Cabool miscue as the Bulldogs (0-4, 0-2 SCA) fumbled away the opening kickoff of the second half. Three plays later, Dixon scored from three yards out.
It was 18-7 midway through the fourth when Burchett faked a handoff to Dixon and burst down the right sideline for a 50-yard touchdown –– the first of his varsity career.
“His speed is pretty deceptive,” Sloan said. “He doesn’t look like he’s fast, but those big strides cover a lot of ground.”
After a Cabool score, Dixon punched it in from five yards away for the Tigers’ final points.
“I think what you saw tonight is what we’ll have to do to be successful,” Sloan said. “We have to hit them 3, 4, 5 yards at a time and every once in awhile we will spring one loose.”
GAME AT A GLANCE
HHS PLAY OF THE NIGHT
• Senior Evan Richardson put the Tigers ahead for good when he took a first-quarter handoff 36 yards for a touchdown.
TELLING STAT
• Houston’s 249 rushing yards were just three yards shy of their total yards for the season coming into the game.
WHEN GAME WAS DECIDED
• Sophomore Dakota Burchett sealed the victory when he raced 50 yards for a score with 6:33 left in the game.