Homer shocks Houston to take Division III football title

Homer players hoist the state championship trophy at Service High School in Anchorage on Saturday, Oct. 15, 2022. Homer won the 2022 Alaska DIII state football championship, defeating Houston. (Bob Hallinen Photo)

Homer head football coach Justin Zank said there were two major differences in the pair of matchups between his Mariners team and Houston this season.

The first was the return of Homer quarterback Carter Tennison, who missed the first matchup.

The second, he said, was simply belief in the team.

After losing 46-0 during the regular season, Homer shocked Houston 22-20 Saturday at Service High to claim the Division III state title.

“We got Carter back and quarterback, but also it was belief,” Zank said. “That’s what we preached all week and that’s what we told the guys. Nobody else outside of the locker room believed we could do it. But these guys believed in each other and the game plan and believed that we could, we would, be state champions.”

Homer quarter back Carter Tennison fights for yardage as Keldin Nicoll, of Houston grabs ahold at Service High School in Anchorage on Saturday, Oct. 15, 2022. Homer won the 2022 DIII state football championship, defeating Houston. (Bob Hallinen Photo)

Tennison said the team’s intensity was at a level that they didn’t reach in the 46-0 loss on Aug. 19.

“Today it all came together,” he said. “Our young guys stepped up and our older guys really proved we deserved be here.”

The title was the first in Homer history, according to Zank.

“It’s huge,” he said. “We’re proud of the guys and happy for our community and our school.”

Owen Storm, of Homer, celebrates his teams championship win at Service High School in Anchorage on Saturday, Oct. 15, 2022. Homer won the 2022 Alaska DIII state football championship, defeating Houston. (Bob Hallinen Photo)

Houston struck first out of the gate scoring on the opening possession of the first quarter.

Running back Mark Kudryn started going right, bobbled the ball, picked it back up and raced down the left sideline for a 70-yard touchdown and a 6-0 lead after the kick failed.

Homer battled back later in the quarter as Chris Martishev scored on a direct snap from two yards out. Tennison kept it himself on the two-point conversion attempt to make it 8-6 after he got past the stripe.

Once again Houston struck with a big play late in the first quarter. Quarterback Carter Seime found Hayden Howard streaking down the left side for a long score. After the extra point kick, Houston led 13-8.

Nathan Overson , of Homer, reaches for Houston quarterback Carter Seime at Service High School in Anchorage on Saturday, Oct. 15, 2022. Homer won the 2022 DIII state football championship, defeating Houston. (Bob Hallinen Photo)

But Homer grabbed the lead back early in the second quarter. After a drive brought the Mariners to the doorstep, Tennison smashed it on a keeper from a yard out. He also converted the short two-point run for a 16-13 lead in halftime.

The third quarter went by quickly with neither team able to get much momentum. But late in the third, Tennison and Martishev hooked up on a pass that brought Homer close to the goal line again and Tennison scored on the next play for a 22-13 lead. Tennison’s run for a two-point conversion failed.

“As a team we’ve really been able to move the ball really well these last few weeks,” Tennison said. “On defense we’ve had some rough stretches but we were able to step up and capitalize today.”

Houston scored late in the fourth quarter to make it 22-20 after the extra point. And the Hawks even forced a fumble on the ensuing onside kick after Homer tried to advance the ball. But they weren’t able to push the ball downfield and turned it over on downs.