With ball protection at a premium, the Houston High School football team won a South Central Association conference matchup Friday at Willow Springs, 44-13.
After the host Bears took a 7-0 lead early in the first quarter, Houston regrouped and scored 21 unanswered points to lead 21-7 at halftime. The Tigers then pulled away in the second half with three more TDs and a safety.
“The Ava week was very uncharacteristic of how we have played this year,” said HHS head coach Eric Sloan. “We turned the ball over several times, so it was nice to see us take care of the football again and not turn it over. I thought the kids and the coaches handled the week very well with the distraction of me being in the hospital. I’m thankful for technology where I could be as involved as possible from a distance.”
Next up for Houston (4-3, 3-2 SCA) is a Senior Night contest against Mountain Grove (6-1, 5-0 SCA) Oct. 17 in Tiger Stadium.
HHS head coach Eric Sloan encourages his players prior to Friday’s SCA game at Willow Springs. After spending several days in the hospital, Sloan was discharged Thursday and back on the sideline the following night. 
HHS senior quarterback DJ Riley runs the ball during the first quarter. Riley scored 4 rushing touchdowns in the game and threw for another. 
Tigers defensive backs Stryker Sloan (5) and Kane Crawford (15) team up to break up an attempted pass to Willow Springs junior Jeremiah Galloway during the second quarter. The Big Red Defense allowed only 1 score in each half. 
HHS freshman Tucker Venn runs the ball Friday at Willow Springs. Venn has been dealing with a bruised rib, but was active on both sides of the ball in the game. 
HHS senior lineman Toby Head (66) prepares to tackle Willow Springs sophomore quarterback Caden Lee. 
With senior Jakob Lee holding, HHS junior Dillon Shelton kicks an extra point. Shelton was a perfect 6-for-6 on point-after kicks in the game. 
HHS head coach Eric Sloan and Tigers players raise four fingers to signify the beginning of the fourth quarter Friday night at Willow Springs. 
Behind the blocking of freshman Blake Sanders (75), DJ Riley (3) and others, HHS freshman quarterback Stryker Sloan runs the ball during the fourth quarter. Sloan scored from 11 yards out on the play. It was the Tigers’ sixth and final touchdown in the victory.
To view photos from the game, with the option to purchase, click here.
