With an impressive display of offensive production, Thayer beat Houston 55-12 in a South Central Association conference high school football game last Friday night in Oregon County.
The Bobcats racked up major yardage on almost every possession, chewing up big chunks of real estate time and again on the ground and through the air.
Senior Cordell Washington led the onslaught, rushing for 249 yards on 10 carries and scoring four touchdowns – including one on a 70-yard passing play.
Thayer got rolling in a hurry. After Houston won the coin toss and deferred, the Bobcats scored on the first play from scrimmage on an 86-yard run by junior Thomas Poole.
Poole scored again on a 6-yard run with about 10 minutes to go in the first quarter, but the Tigers tried to keep pace and got on the board when senior quarterback DJ Riley finished off a nice drive with a 2-yard touchdown run with 3:25 left in the period.
But moments later, Poole scored again on a 10-yard run and Thayer was ahead 20-6 going into the second quarter.
The Bobcats extended their advantage to 33-6 at halftime, as Washington scored on runs of 23 and 38 yards.
Washington then had a 36-yard touchdown run with 8:28 left in the third quarter, and Houston was in a 41-6 hole.
The Tigers doubled their total with 5:23 to go in the period on a 23-yard touchdown pass from Riley to senior Caden Guerra, but Washington struck again a few minutes later, catching a short pass from senior quarterback Dawson Harris and dashing about 65 yards for a 70-yard TD.
Early in the fourth quarter, Washington raced 92 yards for another touchdown, and after Harris booted an extra point, the final score was on the board.
The Tigers’ offense was limited to a season-low 150 total yards (83 rushing and 67 passing).
“Everything we always say can’t happen happened,” said HHS head coach Eric Sloan. “We gave up big play after big play and ultimately that was the difference.”
On both sides of the ball, Thayer’s linemen posed a titanic challenge to the Tigers.
“Their offensive line looked like it was from a small college,” Sloan said. “And they’re just so fast; we didn’t defend some things that bad, but there would just be a hole and we’re not catching them.
“And on offense, we didn’t play very well up front for the first time this season. But it’s the same story – they were big and brought lots of bodies.”
Washington is a speedy track star who transferred from Joplin prior to this season. On defense, he was a highly effective defensive back for the Bobcats.
“He kicked it, punted it and carried the water,” Sloan said. “He did it all.”
Thayer (5-0, 3-0 SCA) came into the contest as the top-ranked Class 1 team in Missouri. The Bobcats travel to Cabool next Friday (Oct. 3).
Next up for the Tigers (3-2, 2-1 SCA) is an unusual Thursday night home game against Ava (2-3, 1-2 SCA) on Oct. 2. The Bears will use an option offense led by senior Aiden Lane, a 4-year starter.
“We can’t give up big plays,” Sloan said. “It’s back to assignment football with another option team, but we have to limit big plays and that’s what we’re going to continue to harp on.”
The game will have significant implications regarding Class 2 District 3 standings. After last week, Houston was in fourth place in the seven-team district and Ava was sixth.
The crowd in Tiger Stadium could be a bit on the small side, due to HHS volleyball and HMS football and volleyball being in action on the same night.
“It will be different,” Sloan said. “There’s a lot going on that night. I don’t know what that does to the crowd, but it probably won’t help.”
