Houston football brings 13 total starters back from last year’s 1-9 team, as the Tigers try to climb the SCA standings in coach Eric Sloan’s third season.
Offensively, six starters are back to run Sloan’s spread offense.
“I believe our biggest strength will be the number of kids who have been with me the three years I have been here,” Sloan said. “They are starting to grasp what we are trying to do and we are beginning to build on that foundation. Hopefully we will be more balanced in our attack and throw the ball better this year.”
Junior Paydon Dixon returns at quarterback after starting last year as a sophomore. His mobility adds another dimension to the Houston offense.
Dixon has a stable of receivers to throw to this season led by seniors John Lane, Gavin Alston and Noah Mosley. Sophomores Connor Wilson and Dakota Burchett will also see time at receiver.
Michael Clayton will move from fullback to tight end full time this year. The junior stands at 6’3, 225 pounds.
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The Tigers must replace all-conference running back Chance Hunter. To do that, Houston will move senior Evan Richardson from receiver into the backfield. Richardson will also return to his starting spot at corneback. He will get help carrying the ball from Alston and junior Aiden Sawyer.
Up front, Dalton James will anchor the offensive line in his senior season coming off of an all-conference selection last year.
“Dalton had a good offseason and got a lot stronger. He missed most of the summer working out of town. Dalton knows that this is it. He doesn’t get another opportunity,” Sloan said. “When we start practice he will be behind so he will have to catch up quickly. Luckily he played a lot and played well last season so he should pick up quickly. Dalton played at a high level last season and we expect him to raise that level of play this year.”
Two other starters return on the offensive line returns. Dawson Koch, a 225-pound junior, returns to start at guard. Josh Hurst will move from center to guard after starting last season. Lane ReVelle, who stands at 6’1, 300 pounds, is in line to start at Center. Seniors Ethan Mitchell and Robert Faupel will also look to lock down starting spots on the line. All of the offensive linemen will also factor into the defensive line mix as well.
Defensively, the Tigers will run a stack 3-3.
Josh Hurst is back in the middle of the defense at linebacker after an all-conference selection last season. A broken foot slowed him down early in the summer, but he looks to be back at full strength now.
“Josh has worked very hard in the offseason. He is doing a good job trying to lead,” Sloan said. “I expect Josh to be the vocal leader on the defense. Many of the guys on that side of the ball look up to him and I look for him to run with that role.”
Sawyer and CJ Lee along with sophomore Daniel Hutchinson will also be factors at linebacker.
Senior Michael Clayton started on the defensive line last year and returns. He may see some time at linebacker as well.
Richardson, Alston (running back/receiver), Dixon (quarterback), Mosley (WR), Burchett (WR) and Wilson (WR) are all in the mix to the secondary on defense in addition to their offensive duties.
Sloan has a simple goal for his team in 2017 as the Tigers try to improve on last year.
“I want us to compete,” Sloan said. “That has been the biggest weakness the past two seasons. We haven’t been real mentally tough. We play a brutal schedule and there is no easy week in the SCA. We have to be mentally locked in and ready to play each week. When we start to hold each other accountable and get buy-in from every player we will start to see us make bigger steps in the right direction.”
Houston will host a jamboree on Aug. 11 with Cabool and Cuba.
The Tigers hit the road to face Ash Grove to open the regular season on Aug. 18.
