A handful of football teams in Texas make the playoffs every year despite having a winning record. Pasadena South Houston was one of those teams in 2016.
The Trojans finished the regular season with a 3-7 record, but their 3-3 mark in District 22-6A was enough to grab the fourth and final playoff spot. South Houston averaged 17.5 points a game in regular season behind a very young offense led by sophomore quarterback Torrence Stevens.
Coach Derrick Hayden’s squad lost to a hungry Humble Kingwood team, 48-13 in the bi-district round.
South Houston earned its first win last year over Pasadena in late September, and then entered the last two games with a 1-7 record. The Trojans knocked off Dobie, 24-17, at home and finished with a 28-23 win at Sam Rayburn.
Key Losses
DT/OL David Espinal, LB Estabon Ponce, LB Josh Romero
Espinal was a big plug on both sides of the line, earning two-way all-district honors. Ponce and Romero were leaders who patrolled the defense.
Key Returners
QB Torrence Stevens, WR Ian Butler, DE Everado Martinez
Stevens was the district’s Offensive Newcomer of the Year after passing for 981 yards and running for 685 yards and 15 touchdowns.
Butler led the Trojans with 387 yards — which included 14 yards per catch.
Verdict
Things ended on a high note for South Houston with a pair of wins and getting to experience a playoff game.
That, combined with a lot of underclassmen who saw lots of playing time in 2016, should lead to a more promising 2017.
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