The Houston Middle School football program had a big night Thursday, blanking Thayer, 44-0, in the season-opening game in Tiger Stadium.
HMS head coach Rodney Preheim said Thayer coaches notified Houston earlier in the week that they only had enough kids for one game.
“Last year, the current 8th-graders didn’t play Thayer,” Preheim said, “so all week the kids were like, ‘what is Thayer going to be like for us?’ I said, ‘guys I have no idea; you guys didn’t get to play them.’ I told them the only team we know anything about this week is us. Our identity comprises two things: We win as a team and lose as a team.
I want our mentality to be no brakes, all gas start to finish, and be physical. We’re a bunch of blue collar kids that showed up all summer to get stronger and to get better.”
HMS head coach Rodney Preheim
By the fourth quarter, Preheim and company were able to bring in some of the 7th-graders who were new to the program and get them some valuable playing time before playing their first game next week versus Mountain Grove.
Scoring for the Tigers were:
- Ben Gubarev – 45-yard rushing touchdown, 22-yard rushing TD, four 2-point conversions (all rushing). Total of over 75 yards rushing.
- Landon Parish – 42-yard rushing TD, 75-yard kickoff return. Over 125 total scrimmage yards.
- Connor Stallcup – Two 30-yard rushing TDs. Over 75 yards rushing.
Houston’s offensive line allowed no sacks, and helped the running backs to rush for more than 175 yards.
On defense, Jacob Arthur had a forced fumble, while Kaleb Williams and Kaleb Evans each had fumble recoveries.
Parish recovered a fumble on a kickoff.
Kayden Parmenter, River Rowland, Gaige Martin and Williams were in on several tackles.
Thayer was held to less than 125 total yards.
“Overall, I’m proud of the whole team,” Preheim said.
Houston hosts Mountain Grove next Thursday (Sept. 11), with the 7th-grade game scheduled to begin at 5:30 p.m.
HMS FOOTBALL ROSTER
No., name, position
8th-grade
1, Jacob Arthur, WR/DB
14, Braxton Malam, WR/DB
33, Gavin Gain, WR/DB
44, Gaige Martin, TE/LB
45, Ben Gubarev, RB/LB
54, Kaleb Williams, OL/DL
55, Kaleb Evans, OL/DL
65, Kayden Parmenter, OL/LB
72, Gage Hart, OL/DL
73, Caleb Garnica, OL/DL
75, Orrin Leighty, OL/DL
7th-grade
5, Landon Parish, QB/WR/DB
7, Connor Trentham, WR/DB
10, Cash Abney, QB/DB
12, Kayden Shaver, TE/LB
13, Connor Stallcup, RB/DB
20, Ryker Wilson, WR/DB
21, River Rowland, FB/DB/LB
24, Jude Smith, FB/LB
50, Fenton Choate, OL/LB
60, Bryson White, OL/DL
70, Lucas Lassiter, OL/DL
71, Teagan Light, OL/DL
74, William Cook, OL/DL
SCHEDULE
Sept. 11: vs. Mountain Grove
Sept. 18: @ Ava
Sept. 25: vs. Cabool
Oct. 2: @ Liberty
Oct. 9: @ Salem