Consider that in the last 54 weeks, the Mustangs have:
Defeated unbeaten Germantown High in the 2023 state quarterfinals.
Defeated unbeaten Brentwood High in the 2023 state semis.
Defeated unbeaten and arch-rival Collierville High in the final game of the 2024 regular season.
Defeated unbeaten Ravenwood High in last week’s state semifinals.
That’s a lot of zeroes the Mustangs have turned into ones. And that doesn’t take into consideration the biggest victory of all, a 24-9 win over Murfreesboro Oakland last December that brought the program its first BlueCross Bowl Class 6A state football championship.
Those two will renew acquaintances Saturday in Chattanooga and that victory will have the Mustangs filled to the brim with confidence. That, plus all the good results that preceded their ascendance into a Tennessee program to be reckoned with.
“It’s almost like — they have a false sense of when they’re playing well, there’s nobody they can’t beat,” Houston coach James Thomas said at practice this week. “You could bring the Tennessee Titans in here and we’d tell them ‘Don’t turn the ball over and you can beat them.’
“It’s not true. But they have belief in their ability and the belief in us as a staff that we’re going to find a way to get it done when it matters the most.”
Like last year, what will matter most against the Patriots is stopping their potent ground game, centered around a three-pronged attack featuring Craig Tutt, T.T. Hill and future Tennessee Volunteer Daune Morris.
As Thomas said, protecting the ball will be crucial too and Houston will need a big game from senior quarterback Chandler Day among others. The x-factor though could be Derrick Miller.
The senior missed last year’s run to the title while serving a suspension. But he’s been mightily impressive all season, anchoring what may be the state’s best secondary alongside Ladeadrick James, Andre Allen and Chase Manning while catching 47 passes for 1,050 yards and 11 touchdowns.
“I’m really excited for D.J. Miller,” Thomas said. “He’s been great all year; his numbers are pretty gaudy. He’s a playmaker on both sides of the ball. A hitter on defense, a lockdown corner.
“And then you put him on the offensive side of the ball and it kind of goes hand in hand. His experience at corner ... he knows what the defense is trying to do when he’s on offense.”
Then Thomas added with a laugh, “He’ll tell you he doesn’t get the ball enough. But that’s every wide receiver.”
Miller, of course, is no ordinary wide receiver. And as the last two seasons have demonstrated, Houston is no ordinary football team.
Thomas said last year’s group was a plucky underdog of sorts, a team that flew under the radar all season long before catching fire in the postseason and ultimately knocking off the three-time defending champions. This year has been different but at the same time will feel very familiar.
Houston is keeping its BlueCross Bowl practice schedule the same as 2023 and its travel plans and gameday preparations will also be the same. The moment of walking into Finley Stadium and the sudden, jarring realization that a state title is on the line won’t be as pronounced.
Houston won’t take the moment for granted, mind you. But they’re approaching the game with the mindset of those who have been there and done that.
And doing it again will put them in the history books. No Class 6A team from Shelby County has ever repeated as state champions and only one area public school team in any classification has repeated — Trezevant in 2015 and 2016.
Thomas said they’re tackling the challenge just like they have the tough teams on their schedule. Head on.
“We talk about pressure being a privilege and our guys have never shied away from pressure,” said Thomas, who is wrapping up his seventh season as head coach of his alma mater.
“Our guys have never shied away from pressure. That’s why the motto for the season has been ‘repeat the feat.’ Because these guys (see) anything less than that as less than their worth. We’re not shying away from it.
“Last year — winning it for the first time — will always have a special place. We don’t take it lightly and certainly don’t take it lightly that we have another chance with this group. But it does put a stamp on last year. Last year, we were kind of the feel-good story. Now it’s ‘oh wow. These guys are not leaving.’”
BlueCross Bowl Class 6A championship
Match-up: Houston (12-2) vs. Murfreesboro Oakland (12-2)
When, where: Saturday at 6 p.m. CST; Finley Stadium in Chattanooga
Coaches: James Thomas (Houston); Kevin Creasy (Oakland).
Road to the title game: Houston defeated Dickson County, 42-7, in the first round; defeated Bartlett, 17-10, in the second round; defeated Collierville, 33-19, in the quarterfinals and defeated Ravenwood, 24-21, in the semifinals. Oakland defeated Lebanon, 41-0, in the first round; defeated Mt. Juliet, 35-28, in the second round; defeated Murfreesboro Riverdale, 49-46, in the quarterfinals and defeated Maryville, 21-13, in the semifinals.
Houston rushing leaders: Celley Davis, 220 carries, 991 yards, nine touchdowns; Ladeadrick James, 64-604-2; Chandler Day, 91-490-10.
Houston passing leaders: Chandler Day, 107 of 200, 1,696 yads, 22 touchdowns and eight interceptions; Canon Day, 19 of 44, 491 yards, three touchdowns and one interception.
Houston receiving leaders: D.J. Miller, 47 catches, 1,050 yards, 11 touchdowns; Andre Allen, 30-397-7; Owen Waggener, 16-214-3; Ladeadrick James, 11-144-0; Jonas Jimerson, 10-175-2.
Houston interception leaders: Andre Allen, 4 for 48 yards; D.J. Miller, 3-39-1 touchdown.
Houston team offense: Rushing yards per game, 180.4; passing, 156.7; total, 337.1.
Houston team defense: Rushing yards per game, 127.1; passing, 94.5; total, 221.6.
Did you know: Houston running back Ladeadrick James has accounted for over half of his total yardage this season over the last three games. The senior ran for 109 yards against Bartlett, 100 against Collierville and 142 versus Ravenwood. ... Wednesday was national signing day and the Mustangs had one player represented — although not for football. Standout quarterback Chandler Day followed through on his longstanding commitment and signed with Tennessee to continue his baseball career. ... Unlike last year’s game — which was played in a steady downpour — Saturday should be ideal football weather. Forecasts call for a high of 50 and a low of 33.
Shelby County State Football Champions
2023 – Houston (6A)
2019 – ECS (D2AA)
2017 – Lausanne (D2AA)
2016 – Trezevant (2A), East (4A), Whitehaven (6A), Lausanne (D2A)
2015 – Trezevant (2A), St. George’s (D2A)
2012 – Whitehaven (6A)
2011 – St. George’s (D2A)
2009 – White Station (6A), MUS (D2AA)
2008 – MUS (D2AA)
2007 – St. George’s (D2A)
2005 – ECS (D2AA), MUS (D2AAA)
2004 – Bishop Byrne (D2A), Briarcrest (D2AA), MUS (D2AAA)
2003 – Germantown (5A), SBEC (D2A)
2002 – Ridgeway (3A), Bishop Byrne (D2A), Briarcrest (D2AA)
2001 – Bishop Byrne (D2A)
2000 – ECS (D2A)
1999 – E... Click here to read full article
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