Sam Houston leans on Jaidon Hamilton, rolls into bye week with win over Highlands

Coming off an emotional win over Harlandale, Sam Houston coach Rashard Colquitt knew the Hurricanes' matchup against Highlands had trap game written all over it.

Colquitt wanted his team to finish its regular season strong, though, and head into a much-needed open week riding a six-game win streak.

Beat up and with its pass game off rhythm, Sam Houston leaned on junior Jaidon Hamilton and a stout defensive performance as the Hurricanes rolled past the Owls 33-14 Friday at Alamo Stadium.

"We just had to finish," Colquitt said. "That was the main goal. We knew Highlands was going to give us their best shot. They had a week off. So they had two weeks to prepare for us. We haven't had a bye week. Our bye week is next week. So I knew it was going to be tough.

"But I'm proud of our guys. We're tired. We're beat up a little bit. So for our guys to come out and still perform at a high level, it just shows the preparation our coaches and players are putting in. We're happy to get this win."

After a long punt return from senior Treston Zacharie, paired with a face mask penalty, junior Xavier Youngblood only needed one play to put Sam Houston on the board. Youngblood took a direct snap out to his right for the 5-yard score.

On third-and-14, Hurricanes junior Jaelyn Turner picked off Highlands senior Johnathon Cantu near midfield to set up Sam Houston's second scoring drive.

The Hurricanes quickly moved into the Owls' red zone off a pair of rushes from Hamilton, and Youngblood's first completion of the night. A high snap allowed Highlands defenders to sink towards Youngblood, but he was still able to get the hand off to Hamilton. Senior Sincere Brown laid a key block that cleared the way for Hamilton to walk in untouched for a 13-yard score.

"Our offensive line did a great job of opening up some holes for Jaidon," Colquitt said. "He had some big runs."

The Owls entered the second quarter trailing by two possessions, and life didn't get much easier as Sam Houston junior Aidan Ward ripped through Highlands' offensive line and forced an errant throw from Cantu that was picked off by senior Reginald Mackall.

Two plays later, Hamilton broke free for a 55-yard rush down to the Owls' 1-yard line. Youngblood punched in his second rushing touchdown of the night on fourth down, but a missed extra point kept Sam Houston leading 20-0.

Cantu put Highlands on the board with a 24-yard rushing touchdown late in the second quarter, and the Owls went into halftime trailing by 13. Sam Houston came out of halftime intentionally trying to get Youngblood settled in. Colquitt dialed up quick, easy completions for his junior QB as the Hurricanes marched down the field. Hamilton capped off the drive with a 15-yard touchdown scamper.

He finished the game with 133 rushing yards and a pair of touchdowns on 12 carries.

"I knew my team needed me," Hamilton said. "So I came out here and just did what I do."

Highlands (1-8, 1-6) scored its second and final touchdown off a 61-yard rush from sophomore Darrius Long.

But Youngblood shook off his earlier struggles and finally got one over on an Owls defense set on denying him the long ball. The quarterback connected with junior Mario Ringo for a 52-yard touchdown to seal the game.

The Hurricanes (8-2, 7-1) could still claim a share of the District 14-5A-II title if Harlandale beats McCollum next week in the Frontier Bowl. But the chance to rest and reset before the playoffs is top of mind for Sam Houston next week.

"Now we can teach the fundamental things," Colquitt said. "I think that's going to help us and propel us in this playoff run we're trying to make."