A severely short-handed version of the Houston High School football team traveled to Thayer for a South Central Association game last Friday night and lost 47-0.
Due to injury or illness, five players started for the Tigers on offense who weren’t in the lineup on opening night (including two sophomores and a freshman) and a whopping seven started on defense who didn’t to begin the season (also including two sophomores and a freshman). Turnovers added to Houston’s woes, as the host Bobcats (5-0, 3-0 SCA) took advantage of two fumble recoveries and two interceptions to build a 34-0 halftime lead.
Things turned negative in a hurry for the Tigers as Thayer ran back the opening kickoff for a touchdown and never looked back. The Bobcats (ranked second among class 1 teams in Missouri) scored twice on passes and twice on runs in the first half, and added two long scoring runs in the second half.
The Tigers were on the move offensively in the fourth quarter after a couple of pass completions and some ground gains, but the drive stalled and Houston turned the ball over on downs at the Thayer 8-yard line.
Senior running back Chance Mitchell gained 40 yards on 16 carries for the Tigers, while senior quarterback Dakota Burchett completed 9-of-21 passes for 75 yards and 2 interceptions.
“We have so many reserves out there, some playing line after transitioning from playing receiver spots,” said HHS head coach Eric Sloan. “We’re just giving up a lot of age, size and experience.”
Houston (2-3, 0-3 SCA) suffered another physical blow in the game, as senior offensive lineman and linebacker Devin Wallander went down with a hip injury at the 10:27 mark of the second quarter. Sloan said he’s not sure how long Wallander will be out.
“Hopefully it isn’t season-ending,” he said. “Devin is like having a coach on the field. He understands the game and can be the voice on the field. He’s a four-year starter, so it hurts losing all the experience.”
Houston hosts Ava on Friday. The Bears are ranked sixth in class 2. Sloan said his team’s injury list isn’t likely to shrink before the game.
“As of now it doesn’t look like anyone will return this week,” he said.
Houston sophomore lineman Jason Branum (76), senior defensive back Connor Wilson (10) and freshman linebacker Anthony Carroll (22) converge on a ball carrier during an SCA game last Friday at Thayer.