In the Houston High School football team’s Class 2 District 4 Tournament game tonight (Nov. 1) at Ava, the Tigers will once again face the challenge of slowing down the Bears’ option-based offense.
HHS head coach Eric Sloan often refers to “assignment football” when talking about dealing with the option against teams like Ava and Mountain Grove.
While the Tigers must do fundamental things like execute their game plan and avoid turnovers, there are a couple of specific keys to success in the contest.
KEY #1: STOP THE RUN
In Houston’s 43-7 defeat in a regular season game Oct. 4 at Ava, the Bears compiled 404 yards of total offense that included a massive 394 rushing yards. Ava senior fullback Hunter Adams (6-2, 220 pounds) had a big night, running for 197 yards.
This is where Sloan’s “assignment football” comes in. Houston defenders must be patient and “stay in their lanes” in order to be where they need to be when a ball-carrier is in the vicinity.
KEY # 2: SCORE
While it sounds pretty basic, it’s obviously necessary in football. The Tigers didn’t score last week in a loss to Liberty and managed only 7 points last time they visited Ava.
Houston’s leading skilled-position players like Jordan Arthur, DJ Riley and Bryson Jordan must produce more than yardage. Converting big situations will be crucial for a victory.
INJURY REPORT
HHS senior running back Layne Seago will be sidelined again with a knee injury.
Ava is the No. 3 seed in the tournament’s 8-team bracket and Houston is No. 6. The winner of tonight’s contest will face the winner of a matchup between No. 2 Liberty and No. 7 Springfield Catholic.
Other Class 2 District 4 Tournament games set for tonight include No. 8 Willow Springs at top-seeded Fair Grove and No. 5 Clever at No. 4 Thayer.
Over the past 10 years, Ava has dominated the series with Houston, going 9-1 against the Tigers over that stretch (with the only loss coming in 2022).
