<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Ronald Cortes\/for the San Antonio Express News<\/p>\n
In the hours before their\u00a0matchup against Lanier, anxious Sam Houston players kept in constant communication with coach Rashard Colquitt.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u201cAll day today, kids were blowing my phone up,\u201d\u00a0Colquitt explained. \u201c\u2018Coach, are we still playing? Are we still playing because of the rain and the storm?\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n
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The Hurricanes were eager to play in their pivotal District 14-5A-II game against the\u00a0Voks, 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.<\/p>\n
The contest was cleared for play, and the Hurricanes, leaning on junior running back\u00a0Jaidon Hamilton\u2019s 131 rushing yards, steamed past Lanier 27-7 Thursday at SAISD Sports Complex.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen we knew that we were playing, they locked in,\u201d\u00a0Colquitt said. \u201cIt just shows the fight that these kids have. I\u2019m just so proud of this program and where we\u2019ve come from. Losing that one-point game was heartbreaking.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat could\u2019ve been the downfall of the season, but we\u2019re not going to let that happen. We\u2019re going to continue to fight. So proud of the guys and the coaches.\u201d<\/p>\n
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The Hurricanes showed just how much they wanted to play on the opening drive, forcing a fumble from\u00a0Voks quarterback Erick Esparza near midfield. Sam Houston couldn\u2019t capitalize on the turnover, but on its next possession, the Hurricanes found paydirt.<\/p>\n
On his own half of the field, junior quarterback Xavier\u00a0Youngblood 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. \u00a0<\/p>\n
Sam Houston forced a turnover on downs on\u00a0Lanier\u2019s ensuing possession and quickly extended its lead with a 64-yard rushing touchdown from Hamilton.<\/p>\n
\u201cMan, I just saw the hole and hit it,\u201d Hamilton said. \u201cIt\u2019s nothing new.\u201d<\/p>\n
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<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Ronald Cortes\/for the San Antonio Express News<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Ronald Cortes\/for the San Antonio Express News<\/p>\n
Sam Houston Hurricanes Mario Ringo (3) makes a touchdown reception In the first half on Thursday, Oct.1, 2026 at SAISD Sports Complex.<\/p>\n
Ronald Cortes\/for the San Antonio Express News<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Ronald Cortes\/for the San Antonio Express News<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Ronald Cortes\/for the San Antonio Express News<\/p>\n
Lanier Voks Erick Esparaza (3) drives for yardage In the first half on Thursday, Oct.1, 2026 at SAISD Sports Complex.<\/p>\n
Ronald Cortes\/for the San Antonio Express News<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Ronald Cortes\/for the San Antonio Express News<\/p>\n
Sam Houston Hurricanes Xavier Youngblood (0) looks for a receiver In the first half on Thursday, Oct.1, 2026 at SAISD Sports Complex.<\/p>\n
Ronald Cortes\/for the San Antonio Express News<\/p>\n
Sam Houston Hurricanes Ty\u2019Ron 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.<\/p>\n
Ronald Cortes\/for the San Antonio Express News<\/p>\n
Lanier Voks Brandon Sanchez (16) can\u2019t 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.<\/p>\n
Ronald Cortes\/for the San Antonio Express News<\/p>\n
Lanier Voks Nicholas Torres (1) scampers in the rain In the first half on Thursday, Oct.1, 2026 at SAISD Sports Complex.<\/p>\n
Ronald Cortes\/for the San Antonio Express News<\/p>\n
Lanier Voks fans were prepared for the weather In the first half on Thursday, Oct.1, 2026 at SAISD Sports Complex.<\/p>\n
Ronald Cortes\/for the San Antonio Express News<\/p>\n
Sam Houston Hurricanes head coach Rashard Colquitt talks to his team In the first half on Thursday, Oct.1, 2026 at SAISD Sports Complex.<\/p>\n
Ronald Cortes\/for the San Antonio Express News<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Ronald Cortes\/for the San Antonio Express News<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Ronald Cortes\/for the San Antonio Express News<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Ronald Cortes\/for the San Antonio Express News<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Ronald Cortes\/for the San Antonio Express News<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Ronald Cortes\/for the San Antonio Express News<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Ronald Cortes\/for the San Antonio Express News<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Ronald Cortes\/for the San Antonio Express News<\/p>\n
Lanier Voks Nehemiah Kelly (9) awaits the opening kick-off In the first half on Thursday, Oct.1, 2026 at SAISD Sports Complex.<\/p>\n
Ronald Cortes\/for the San Antonio Express News<\/p>\n
Lanier Voks players enter the field before the start of the first half on Thursday, Oct.1, 2026 at SAISD Sports Complex.<\/p>\n
Ronald Cortes\/for the San Antonio Express News<\/p>\n
With occasional rain falling on the\u00a0SAISD turf, pounding the ground was the focal point for both offenses. The difference in the game was Sam Houston\u2019s defense bowing up to Lanier\u2019s rushing attack and stifling the Voks\u2019 duo of Esparza and senior Nicholas Torres.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe knew if we could shut them down and make them throw the ball, that it was going to be a long night for them,\u201d\u00a0Colquitt said.<\/p>\n
Lanier shut down Sam Houston\u2019s 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\u2019 15-yard touchdown.<\/p>\n
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Now leading 20-0, the Hurricanes continued their stout defensive play.\u00a0Lanier 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 \u2014 a 5-yard touch-pass from Youngblood to senior Treston Zacharie for a touchdown.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe knew coming into this week of practice that this was going to be a big game,\u201d\u00a0Colquitt said. \u201cThe goals that we had before the season are in front of us, and now, we\u2019ve just got to take it.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Sam Houston Hurricanes Jaidon Hamilton (27) looks for running room In the second half on Thursday, Oct.1, 2026…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":454014,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[7],"tags":[56,58,57],"class_list":["post-454013","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-houston","tag-houston","tag-houston-headlines","tag-houston-news"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/454013","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=454013"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/454013\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/454014"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=454013"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=454013"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=454013"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}