By Chris Parker
Houston football will be looking for some new players to step up with new starters all over the place coming off a four-win season.
One star in Jordan Arthur does return for Houston in his senior season. He will be a key to everything Houston tries to do.
“We expect Jordan to have a big year. The college recruiting interest is starting to ramp up a little bit for him,” Houston head coach Eric Sloan said. “He is a playmaker. We definitely have to get the ball in his hands. He had over 1,100 all-purpose yards last season. We’re going to let him play receiver. We’re going to put him in the backfield. You’ll even see him taking some snaps in some wildcat stuff. He is going to be a key part of the offense. We are going to have to get creative and find ways to get him the football.”
DJ Riley will be throwing him the ball as he moves over from wide receiver to quarterback this season. This is his first time playing quarterback since the seventh grade.
“He (Riley) started both his freshman and sophomore years at point guard in basketball. He’s just a good athlete, and he sees the field well,” Sloan said.
Layne Seago will be the primary running back.
“He (Seago) is going to be our bell cow. He has started every game of his high school career for us at nose guard,” Sloan said. “He is probably our strongest kid, and he is going to be top four or five in speed. He is a good balance of power and speed.”
Brayden Richardson will also be in the backfield at fullback.
Maleki Morgan will play tight end.
“He (Morgan) is going to be a big part of our offense,” Sloan said. “He will have his hand in the dirt every play; we will never flex him out at receiver. We are definitely going to run behind him. He has really good hands, so we’re going to utilize him in the pass game.”
Bryson Jordan will be another receiver to watch.
Up front, returning starter Mason Dodson will be joined by a combination of Devin Shelton, Logan Dixon, Toby Head, Ethan Buckner, Chris Swallow and Gage Walker.
Defensively, Seago will be at nose guard again with Head, Buckner, Shelton, Will ReVelle, John Jordan, Oliver Geiner and Elliot Greiner all in the mix on the defensive line.
Morgan, Dotson, John Jordan, Walker, Richardson, Bryson Jordan and Eli Newsome are options at linebacker.
Arthur will anchor the secondary at safety. He had seven interceptions as a cornerback last season. Riley, Caden Guerra and Kaden Beasley will also be in the mix in the secondary.
Houston will travel to Mountain Grove for a jamboree on Aug. 23 with Liberty, Willow Springs and the host Panthers. The Tigers open the season on Aug. 30 at Pierce City.
“If we stay healthy that is going to help our chances,” Sloan said. “Offensively we have to get it done up front. Depending how well we play up front I think is going to dictate where we go. Only returning one starter on the offensive line is a concern. They are a decent group of kids. If they gel, I think we will be ok.”
