After last year’s lift off, Houston now a key playmaker for Jackets
Published 2:50 pm Saturday, August 8, 2026
Amari Houston
By Bill Templeton
Sports Writer
In his first two seasons as a wide receiver on the Middlesboro football team, Amari Houston was credited with one pass reception, good for 10 yards.
But during a junior season that saw the Yellow Jackets win their first 11 games, Houston exploded onto the prep scene with 23 receptions – 10 of which went for touchdowns – and 554 yards, setting himself up for what could be an even better 2026.
First-year Middlesboro head coach Hunter Adams has watched Houston literally grow into his pivotal role in the Yellow Jackets’ offense.
“Amari is a kid we’re super proud of,” Adams said. “He came in as a freshman in this program, and to be honest, he was little; probably 5-9 or 5-10. He kept showing up, he kept working hard and just grew each year, both physically and mentally. It’s fortunate for us and for him that he’s now grown into a 6-2, 180-pound weapon.
“We’re going to try to get him involved in a lot of different ways and look for him to have a big year. He kind of broke out on the scene last year. He’s worked hard and done the things he needed to do to have success. Now it’s just about preparation, practice, taking it one day at a time and then turning him loose Aug. 22 and watching him go.”
Houston is the lone remaining primary receiver from last year’s squad, and a key member of a corps that hauled in a school-record 30 touchdown passes from then-junior quarterback Deakon Partin.
Partin returns to trigger an offense that scored nearly 500 points last season, and Houston said that he and his quarterback worked tirelessly through the summer.
“We jumped the gate and I came out and just threw with Deakon,” Houston said. “I want him to get to the point where he can throw to me in the dark, and it feels like we’ve honestly gotten to that point.
“He will be getting me the ball, along with a lot of others, and we’re all just going to be out there rallying and just fired up. I don’t think anyone can touch us when we’re all in our best shape.
“We have a great relationship off the field and we’re always talking football. We both enjoy putting in the work. I feel like our relationship is good and our connection is great, and that correlates both on the field, and off.”
Houston also said he worked out twice a day, including crossfit and heavy lifting, but that he found himself returning to the field whenever possible.
“I was just making sure I was getting out on that field, so as not to lose that touch; just kind of staying with it,” Houston said. “Whenever everybody else is resting, I keep going.”
In addition to being one of Partin’s primary targets this season, Houston also returns to anchor the Yellow Jackets’ secondary on defense, and he was quick to mention the improvements being implemented by defensive coordinator Brian Williams.
“I feel like our defense looks great with our new coach,Williams,” Houston said. “He’s come out here and taught us a lot of stuff that we really never knew, but in a short amount of time I feel like we’ve picked up on it.
“My role on defense is just kind of being a ball hawk, helping with coverage and when I need to come downhill and light somebody up, I will.”
Houston was credited with 28 tackles last season and 30 stops as a sophomore.
Middlesboro opens its season Aug. 22 at home against Breathitt County.