The visiting Mariners won their Mid Alaska Conference opener against Houston Friday, 16-8.

Homer is 1-0 in the league and 2-2 overall, while Houston is 1-1 and 1-3.

“It was a gritty win for our dudes,” Homer head coach Justin Zank said. “It was hard hitting, and it was a tough win.

“Houston is always a hostile environment. It’s always difficult for us to be successful there. I’m proud of the guys.”

Homer scored on its first drive. The Mariners picked up a key fourth down on a pass from Preston Stanislaw to Emelian Melkomukov. Stanislaw then punched it in from there.

However, Stanislaw was injured in the first half and CJ Burns came in to run the offense. Zank said Burns did a good job, as did Melkomukov at the receiver position.

The game was tied at 8 until Justus Grimes returned a punt for a touchdown for Homer.

With 44 seconds left, Houston had the ball on the Homer 10-yard line and Grimes made a tackle at the 1-yard line and Houston fumbled the ball out of the end zone to give Homer a touchback.

“Justus Grimes gave up that first touchdown,” Zank said. “They threw it over him. Then he came back and made some huge plays.”

The Mariners now close the season with four straight home Mid Alaska Conference contests, starting with Kodiak at 5 p.m. Friday.