Sam Houston triumphs in Hawaii in front of more than 15,000 local spectators

HUNTSVILLE, Texas (KBTX) – Sam Houston moved the ball with ease as one of the largest crowds in school history watched the Bearkats tear apart Hawaii with a 31-13 victory at Bowers Stadium. The home opener drew 15,134 fans who had plenty to cheer about, including a pair of touchdown catches from budding star Qua’Vez Humphreys.

The junior wide receiver used Opening Day magic when Sam Houston connected on a leadoff hit.

Junior quarterback Hunter Watson sent a quick pass out to the left to Humphreys, who scrambled and dragged defenders for 40 yards to the 24-yard line. A few plays later, Watson threw a ball toward the back right corner of the end zone that Humphreys caught for a quick 7-0 lead.

After that, it was pretty much all Bearkats.

The Warriors (1-2) scored a field goal early in the second quarter, but then Sam Houston answered. Senior wide receiver Ife Adeyi used his legs to score a nine-yard touchdown with 5:14 left, and Christian Pavon split the uprights to score a 26-yard field goal that made it 17-3 at halftime.

Hawaii flipped the script and scored a touchdown on the opening drive to open the second half. A field goal was all the Warriors managed after that, as the Kats crushed Hawaii’s offensive attack, limiting it to just 300 total yards.

The Kats connected on a two-touchdown combination to send the Warriors to the ground for good in the third and fourth.

Jay Ducker sprinted for an 86-yard gain, the sixth-longest run by a Kats player in Bowers Stadium history, to set up a three-yard scoring reception by John Gentry. Humphreys capped his day with a 55-yard touchdown reception to put the finishing touches on the victory.

Ducker finished with 148 yards on 15 carries, and Humphreys had four receptions for 106. Watson completed 65 percent of his attempts for 165 yards and three touchdowns.

Caleb Weaver had an interception, and Briceon Hayes and Chris Murray each had a sack.

Copyright 2024 KBTX. All rights reserved.