KICKOFF COUNTDOWN: Holes need to be filled if St. James is to defend its title
Clint Houser is expected to have a big season for the Trojans, who are looking to defend their 2022 title. (Tim Gayle)
BY TIM GAYLE
St. James’ big-play receiver Ethan Beard and Cosner Harrison, the school’s career rushing leader, will be huge holes to fill for the defending 3A state champions after accounting for 53 percent of the team’s touchdowns last season.
First-year coach Neal Posey thinks he has the answer, however, pointing out senior Clint Houser will have “a bigger role from top to bottom, but he’s embraced it. He’s got to be more of a vocal leader, more on offense, more on defense, more on special teams, but he knows it. He’s gotten his body in the right shape, his mind in the right shape and he’s doing well with it.”
Houser had just three touchdown receptions and one rushing touchdown in the 2022 regular season and may be the secret weapon the Trojans need to challenge for a championship in 2023.
“I don’t think he’s too much of a secret,” St. James quarterback KJ Jackson countered. “What did he have, two touchdowns in the state championship game? I bet a lot of people know about No. 7. Get the ball in his hands. He’s best with it in his hands and he plays both ways so we need to give him as many breaks as we can, but we’re going to definitely have to put the ball in his hands.”
That may mean Houser lines up in the backfield at times. With Harrison graduated, the starting role at tailback will fall to his backup, Cole Anderson, but Houser’s big-play capability makes him a likely candidate to run the ball at times.
“I should have run it with him a little more last year,” Posey admitted. “He’ll line up at running back some, he’ll line up in the slot some, he’ll line up as an outside receiver and we’ll motion him. Offenses are all about matchups and leverage and if we can get our guys in a good matchup, a favorable matchup with good leverage, I think we’re going to be successful.”
Houser believes his priority is as a wide receiver, but admits he may get to carry the ball more this season.
“First, I have to get in better shape because I know I have a big role playing on both sides” of the ball, he said. “I’d say I’ll play more receiver than running back. Running back is just there for me to give our main running back a break when he needs it.
“But it’s always fun to be back there, playing running back as well, to make big plays.”
One other statistic Houser would like to change is on the defensive side of the ball. He’s recognized as one of the Trojans’ top defenders, but he recorded no interceptions last fall.
“I feel like I should have multiple (interceptions) this year,” he said.