By Chris Parker
Houston football will have new faces in new places this season with six total starters returning from last season’s 6-5 team.
Offensively, three starters return but only one will be in the same position.
“We are going to have to grow up quickly being so young and with only one starter back in the same position,” Houston head coach Eric Sloan said.
DJ Riley returns at quarterback. He threw for 1,007 yards and eight touchdowns last season. On the ground, he turned 71 carries into 458 yards and six touchdowns.
Aaron McCarthy, Eli Newsome and Tucker Venn will join him in the backfield running the ball. McCarthy led that group with 84 rushing yards last season.
Mason Dodson earned unanimous first-team all-conference honors on the offensive line last season. He will move to tight end this season.
Dillon Shelton, Kane Crawford, Jakob Lee and Keden Beasley are all looking to play wide receiver.
The offensive line will feature Oliver Greiner, Brody Neugebauer, Elliot Greiner, Cason Woolsey and Toby Head.
Defensively, three starters return.
“We replace a lot of guys, so it’ll be important to line up correctly and run to the football,” Sloan said.
Head, Oliver Greiner, Neugebauer, Eli Newsome and Kallyn Tune will be on the defensive line.
Look for McCarthy, Dodson, Woolsey and Carter Allen at linebacker. Dodson led the team in tackles with 99 last season.
“Mason Dodson has been a two-way starter for three years,” Sloan said. “He is going to be a big piece to our puzzle. As our leader, when he goes, we will go.”
McCarthy earned honorable mention all-conference honors at linebacker after he pulled down 60 total tackles.
The secondary will feature Crawford, Beasley, Riley and Venn. Riley earned second-team all-conference honors as a defensive back. He had 66 total tackles.
Houston travels to Mountain Grove on Aug. 22 for a jamboree with the host Panthers, Thayer and Willow Springs. The Tigers open the regular season on Aug. 29 at home against Pierce City.
“We have to stay healthy in order to be competitive week in and week out,” Sloan said. “We have to show up daily looking to get better and make the most of the opportunities we are given.”
