The visiting Homer football team opened its season with a 64-8 victory over Houston on Friday in nonconference action.

The Mariners are the defending Division III state champions and have won the title in two of the past three years.

Quarterback CJ Burns picked up right where he left off last year, when he came in at quarterback due to injury and led the Mariners to the title.

Burns ran Homer’s first play from scrimmage 64 yards for a touchdown.

He had another rushing score in the first quarter, as well as passing touchdowns to Joaquin Jackson and Nikifor Reutov. Jackson also had a rushing touchdown in the first quarter, while Thomas Martin had a safety.

“CJ looked great,” Homer coach Justin Zank said. “This is the most relaxed yet I’ve seen him at that position. This is the best I’ve seen him as a leader on the team, the way he ran the offense and facilitated everything.”

Zank said the defense really shut down the Hawks except for one long run.

The coach said Donovan Milstead, Tristyn Bridges, Dawson Stokes and Martin were great on the line, while Vincent Black, Ty Gibby and Nik Mcauly were solid at linebacker.

In the second quarter, Eli Weisser had a passing touchdown to Justus Grimes and Reutov had another rushing touchdown.

In the fourth quarter, Weisser rushed for a touchdown and Grimes returned a kickoff for a touchdown.

“He probably ran 150 yards to score on a 60-yard kick return,” Zank said. “It was pretty fun to watch. He’s electric on offense.”

The coach said receivers Berend Pearson and Michael Farmer also did their jobs. Jackson and Reutov were solid running the ball, while David Webb played well at H-back and guard.

Homer hosts Barrow on Friday, Aug. 22, at 6 p.m. in another nonconference affair.