Sam Houston Hurricanes Jaidon Hamilton (27) looks for running room In the second half on Thursday, Oct.1, 2026 at SAISD Sports Complex. Sam Houston defeat Lanier 27-7.
Ronald Cortes/for the San Antonio Express News
In the hours before their matchup against Lanier, anxious Sam Houston players kept in constant communication with coach Rashard Colquitt.
“All day today, kids were blowing my phone up,” Colquitt explained. “‘Coach, are we still playing? Are we still playing because of the rain and the storm?’”
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The Hurricanes were eager to play in their pivotal District 14-5A-II game against the Voks, pressing forward with a chip on their shoulder from a 1-point loss to McCollum two weeks ago, even after a win over Edison last week.
The contest was cleared for play, and the Hurricanes, leaning on junior running back Jaidon Hamilton’s 131 rushing yards, steamed past Lanier 27-7 Thursday at SAISD Sports Complex.
“When we knew that we were playing, they locked in,” Colquitt said. “It just shows the fight that these kids have. I’m just so proud of this program and where we’ve come from. Losing that one-point game was heartbreaking.
“That could’ve been the downfall of the season, but we’re not going to let that happen. We’re going to continue to fight. So proud of the guys and the coaches.”
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The Hurricanes showed just how much they wanted to play on the opening drive, forcing a fumble from Voks quarterback Erick Esparza near midfield. Sam Houston couldn’t capitalize on the turnover, but on its next possession, the Hurricanes found paydirt.
On his own half of the field, junior quarterback Xavier Youngblood set his feet, stepped into his throw and delivered a long bomb that junior Mario Ringo rose up and hauled in for a 55-yard touchdown.
Sam Houston forced a turnover on downs on Lanier’s ensuing possession and quickly extended its lead with a 64-yard rushing touchdown from Hamilton.
“Man, I just saw the hole and hit it,” Hamilton said. “It’s nothing new.”
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Lanier Voks Erick Esparaza (3) is brought down by Sam Houston Hurricanes Aidan Ward (65) and Landen South (22)In the second half on Thursday, Oct.1, 2026 at SAISD Sports Complex. Sam Houston defeat Lanier 27-7.
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Sam Houston Hurricanes head coach Rashard Colquitt celebrates with Luis Maya (25) after a successfully point after a touchdown In the second half on Thursday, Oct.1, 2026 at SAISD Sports Complex. Sam Houston defeat Lanier 27-7.
Ronald Cortes/for the San Antonio Express News
Sam Houston Hurricanes Mario Ringo (3) makes a touchdown reception In the first half on Thursday, Oct.1, 2026 at SAISD Sports Complex.
Ronald Cortes/for the San Antonio Express News
Sam Houston Hurricanes Aidan Ward (65) is called for a face mask after bringing down Lanier Voks Erick Esparaza (3) In the second half on Thursday, Oct.1, 2026 at SAISD Sports Complex. Sam Houston defeat Lanier 27-7.
Ronald Cortes/for the San Antonio Express News
Lanier Voks Erick Esparaza (3) avoids the tackle of a Sam Houston Hurricanes players In the second half on Thursday, Oct.1, 2026 at SAISD Sports Complex. Sam Houston defeat Lanier 27-7.
Ronald Cortes/for the San Antonio Express News
Lanier Voks Erick Esparaza (3) drives for yardage In the first half on Thursday, Oct.1, 2026 at SAISD Sports Complex.
Ronald Cortes/for the San Antonio Express News
Lanier Voks Erick Esparaza (3) after driving for yardage fumbles as he is hit by a host of Sam Houston Hurricanes players In the first half on Thursday, Oct.1, 2026 at SAISD Sports Complex.
Ronald Cortes/for the San Antonio Express News
Sam Houston Hurricanes Xavier Youngblood (0) looks for a receiver In the first half on Thursday, Oct.1, 2026 at SAISD Sports Complex.
Ronald Cortes/for the San Antonio Express News
Sam Houston Hurricanes Ty’Ron Sanders (24) and Jaelyn Turner (7) knock a pass away intended for Lanier Voks Nehemiah Kelly (9) In the first half on Thursday, Oct.1, 2026 at SAISD Sports Complex.
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Lanier Voks Brandon Sanchez (16) can’t hold onto a pass as he is hit by Sam Houston Hurricanes Markiez Rice (13) In the first half on Thursday, Oct.1, 2026 at SAISD Sports Complex.
Ronald Cortes/for the San Antonio Express News
Lanier Voks Nicholas Torres (1) scampers in the rain In the first half on Thursday, Oct.1, 2026 at SAISD Sports Complex.
Ronald Cortes/for the San Antonio Express News
Lanier Voks fans were prepared for the weather In the first half on Thursday, Oct.1, 2026 at SAISD Sports Complex.
Ronald Cortes/for the San Antonio Express News
Sam Houston Hurricanes head coach Rashard Colquitt talks to his team In the first half on Thursday, Oct.1, 2026 at SAISD Sports Complex.
Ronald Cortes/for the San Antonio Express News
Lanier Voks head coach Sal Tellez congratulates Erick Esparaza (3) after a bruising run In the second half on Thursday, Oct.1, 2026 at SAISD Sports Complex. Sam Houston defeat Lanier 27-7.
Ronald Cortes/for the San Antonio Express News
Sam Houston Hurricanes Reginald Mackall. (10) deflects a pass enough to prevent Lanier Voks Nicholas Torres (1) from making a reception In the second half on Thursday, Oct.1, 2026 at SAISD Sports Complex. Sam Houston defeat Lanier 27-7.
Ronald Cortes/for the San Antonio Express News
Sam Houston Hurricanes Aidan Ward (65) and a host of tacklers brown down Lanier Voks Erick Esparaza (3) In the second half on Thursday, Oct.1, 2026 at SAISD Sports Complex. Sam Houston defeat Lanier 27-7.
Ronald Cortes/for the San Antonio Express News
Sam Houston Hurricanes Jaidon Hamilton (27) looks for running room In the second half on Thursday, Oct.1, 2026 at SAISD Sports Complex. Sam Houston defeat Lanier 27-7.
Ronald Cortes/for the San Antonio Express News
Sam Houston Hurricanes Daron Gardner (2) reacts after a hard hit on Lanier Voks Erick Esparaza (3) In the second half on Thursday, Oct.1, 2026 at SAISD Sports Complex. Sam Houston defeat Lanier 27-7.
Ronald Cortes/for the San Antonio Express News
Threat of rain provided the Sam Houston Hurricanes with a small crowd In the second half on Thursday, Oct.1, 2026 at SAISD Sports Complex. Sam Houston defeat Lanier 27-7.
Ronald Cortes/for the San Antonio Express News
Flags are thrown after a face mask call against Sam Houston Hurricanes In the second half on Thursday, Oct.1, 2026 at SAISD Sports Complex. Sam Houston defeat Lanier 27-7.
Ronald Cortes/for the San Antonio Express News
Lanier Voks Nehemiah Kelly (9) awaits the opening kick-off In the first half on Thursday, Oct.1, 2026 at SAISD Sports Complex.
Ronald Cortes/for the San Antonio Express News
Lanier Voks players enter the field before the start of the first half on Thursday, Oct.1, 2026 at SAISD Sports Complex.
Ronald Cortes/for the San Antonio Express News
With occasional rain falling on the SAISD turf, pounding the ground was the focal point for both offenses. The difference in the game was Sam Houston’s defense bowing up to Lanier’s rushing attack and stifling the Voks’ duo of Esparza and senior Nicholas Torres.
“We knew if we could shut them down and make them throw the ball, that it was going to be a long night for them,” Colquitt said.
Lanier shut down Sam Houston’s final two drives of the half. But the Hurricanes came out of the break and scored quickly. A pair of first-down rushes from Hamilton and a 24-yard connection between Youngblood and senior Mivieon Ross set up Ross’ 15-yard touchdown.
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Now leading 20-0, the Hurricanes continued their stout defensive play. Lanier did manage a 3-yard rushing touchdown from Esparza with 5:19 left in the game, but Sam Houston delivered the final blow on the next drive — a 5-yard touch-pass from Youngblood to senior Treston Zacharie for a touchdown.
“We knew coming into this week of practice that this was going to be a big game,” Colquitt said. “The goals that we had before the season are in front of us, and now, we’ve just got to take it.”