The Football Tigers take the field Friday night in Mountain View. Credit: DOUG DAVISON | HOUSTON HERALD

After falling behind 23-0 only four-and-a-half minutes into the game, the Houston High School football team was defeated 50-21 in a South Central Association conference game against Liberty Friday night in Mountain View.

Following the early troubles, the Tigers regrouped and cut the deficit to 23-13 early in the second period and then trailed 35-21 at halftime. But after a scoreless third quarter, the host Eagles pulled away with 15 unanswered points in the fourth.

Coming into the game, Liberty averaged giving up 7 points per game on defense.

“We found ourselves in a hole early and then dug out of it,” said HHS head coach Eric Sloan. “We were able to move the ball, we just had some costly turnovers. When we were able to get off the field and eliminate the big play, we couldn’t seem to get out of our own way offensively.” 

Next up for the Tigers (4-5, 3-4 SCA) is a Class 2 District 3 Tournament game next Friday (Oct. 31) at Forsyth.

Houston is seeded sixth in the seven-team district and Forsyth is No. 3.

HHS senior Mason Dodson returns a kickoff in the first quarter. The host Eagles kicked off three times in under five minutes in the period after scoring touchdowns.
HHS freshman linebacker Tucker Venn leaps to intercept a pass in the first quarter.
Houston senior Eli Newsome (32) and junior Aaron “Tank” McCarthy (10) team up to tackle Liberty senior Jaren Rutledge. Rutledge scored two rushing touchdowns in the game.
The officiating crew takes a measurement during the second quarter. Liberty came away with a first-and-goal situation inside the Houston 2-yard line and scored moments later.
Liberty senior defensive back Kyle Roberts leaps to intercept a pass intended for HHS senior Caden Guerra. The Tigers had four turnovers in the contest, including three interceptions and a fumble.
Houston junior Kane Crawford looks to the sideline for coaching signals while playing quarterback in the third quarter. Crawford was under center for the first time this season in the game, taking the first snap during Houston’s first offensive series and a few more in the third period.
With the outcome of the game already decided, HHS senior quarterback DJ Riley throws a pass late in the fourth quarter.

To view photos from the game, with the option to purchase, click here.

Doug Davison is a writer, photographer and newsroom assistant for the Houston Herald. Contact him by phone at 417-967-2000 or by email at ddavison@houstonherald.com.

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