MEMPHIS, Tenn. — The Houston High School Mustangs have proven that they can beat anyone in the state of Tennessee.
Houston trounced undefeated Germantown in the quarterfinals and undefeated Brentwood in the semis.
They’ll face three-time defending state champions Oakland in Chattanooga on Saturday.
This will be the first time the Mustangs have made it to the BlueCross Bowl.
Saturday will be a day that every one of these Mustangs will remember for the rest of their lives. Despite the magnitude of the state championship, these players are staying cool, calm, and collected.
“When I’m just playing video games with my teammates, we think about it like we in the big stage our name gonna be in history, because we made history for Houston," said wide receiver and defensive back Andre Allen. "We made history going to state.”
Starting quarterback Chandler Day knows all about Houston football history.
Day’s dad, Collins Day, started coaching Houston football in 2019 and Chandler, who grew up playing little league in Germantown went to every game that year. He looked up to players like quarterback Ethan Burn and now he's surpassed his predecessor.
The Junior broke Burns' record for career passing touchdowns at Houston (55) after the defeating Collierville in the second round of the playoffs. He now has 60 career passing touchdowns a
The 2019 team left an impact on Day and he wants to finish what they started.
“I thought that 2019 team was like the greatest team ever'" said Day. "Me and my friends went down to Ravenwood for that semifinal game and they lost and I was heartbroken. Me and my friends made a promise that we would be the first team to make it. It’s really special that we made that happen.”
For former Houston player and current Head Coach James Thomas, a state title would mean a lot for his career but it would also mean a lot for him on a personal level.
“It would mean everything," said Thomas. "When I took this job I wanted to take this team to this point and now that we are here at this point I want to win it. So it would mean a heck of a lot but more for the kids. I want them to have that experience.”
Houston (12-2) are going up against a run-heavy Oakland team (12-2) led by 4-star all purpose back Daune Morris.
Throughout the season the Mustangs have come up against many quality running backs, like Germantown's B.J. Blake. They have found ways to stop the run but Morris, a Tennessee Titans Mr. Football finalist, will provide the team with it's toughest test of the season.
Houston have an explosive running back of their own in Damon Sisa.
The senior has rushed for 460 yards in their four playoff games.
Overall the two teams match up well and Saturday's game is primed to be one for the ages.
Kickoff for the 2023 Class 6A BlueCross bowl between Houston and Oakland is set for 7pm ET at Finley Stadium in Chattanooga.