Sep 11, 2024 3 min read

Name: Houston Guesman

School: Jefferson-Morgan

Class: Senior

Sport: Football

Guesman’s week: The Rockets’ quarterback threw four touchdown passes and ran for two scores in a 49-14 victory over Burgettstown in nonconference play.

Jefferson-Morgan, who improved to 3-0, opens Class A Tri-County South Conference play Friday against Mapletown at Parker Field.

Guesman was 6 of 11 for 185 yards and had four carries for 82 yards. His favorite target against the Blue Devils, and all season, was Deakyn Dehoet. The duo hooked up for touchdowns of 44 and 20 yards. Guesman also threw a 28-yard score to Johnny Gilbert and a 78-yarder to Ryan Baker.

Guesman credits Rockets head coach Shane Ziats for putting in a game plan that is the best fit for himself and his teammates.

“Coach Z knows what we are best at, and he knows how to set that big play up,” Guesman said. “We don’t lack anywhere on our line and Johnny Woodward gains a lot of yards at running back for us. That creates a pocket for me to throw the ball to our wide receivers. They do a great job at getting open, they go 100 percent all the time and that helps me out a lot.”

Dehoet, a junior, was Jefferson-Morgan’s top receiving threat last year.

“Deakyn is younger than me and I see a lot of want and determination in him,” Guesman said. “He is a great kid and I trust him. If we need a play, Deakyn will go make it. He’s the combination. I just make the throw and he does the rest.”

Happy but not satisfied:

The Rockets were 4-6 during Guesman’s sophomore season, which was Ziats’ first year on the job. They finished last season at 6-5 and broke an 11-year drought of missing the playoffs.

In its three wins, Jefferson-Morgan defeated Class 2A Waynesburg, 34-28, and the Rockets are one of the favorites for the Tri-County South title.

“Coach Z comes to practice every day with a get-better mentality,” Guesman said. “He’s told us from the beginning that the bar has been raised, and it’s only getting higher and higher.”

All-around athlete:

Guesman plays basketball for Jefferson-Morgan and enjoys flag football on the weekends, but he is more focused on his weekly preparation for Friday nights.

“I’m not too interesting,” Guesman said. “I am hoping to play football at the next level, which would be a dream come true.

“I’m just thankful for the support and the opportunities I get week in and week out,” Guesman said. “All glory to our right-hand man, God bless.”

Compiled by Jonathan Guth