Kornacki: Houma Going Home to Play Utah
8/28/2015 12:00:00 AM | Football
By Steve Kornacki
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- Michigan fullback Sione Houma isn't just playing in a football season opener at Utah, he is going home.
Houma, the son of immigrants from the South Pacific islands nation of Tonga, is a native of Salt Lake City and played football there at Highland High.
"I've been looking forward to this game since the beginning of the year," said Houma (pronounced Home-uh). "It means a lot to me and my family, opening it up at Utah in front of my family. They'll be there, and it will be great."
Houma, a gritty senior who excels at blocking and on special teams, is one of seven children in his family. He also expects many Highland teammates, coaches and classmates at the Thursday night (Sept. 3) game at Rice-Eccels Stadium, capacity 45,017.
"I went to a couple games there as a kid," said Houma. "They get pretty loud -- I know that. But that's even better for us, and so we'll use that to our advantage."
Utah visited Michigan last season, beating the Wolverines, 26-10.
"It's exciting for all of us that Sione (See-oh-nay) is coming home for a game," said Highland coach Brody Benson. "It will be great to see him play in front of his home crowd."
Benson came to Ann Arbor last year to watch Houma and current sophomore defensive tackle Bryan Mone (mo-nay) play against the Utes, who featured their high school teammate, defensive end Nate Orchard, a second-round pick by the Cleveland Browns in 2015.
Mone was set to start or play significantly on Thursday until breaking a bone in his lower leg at a recent practice.
"Me and Bryan have been talking about this since day one," said Houma, "and about how we were going back to Utah together. It was hard finding out that he will not be able to come down with us, and that he will be out for the season. It was heart-breaking for me, knowing that last year was my last season of playing with him.
"Going there and doing it for him and the team is exciting for me."
Houma was the leading rusher on Highland's 2010 state champions with 1,064 yards and is third on the school's career rushing list with 1,838. His role has been different at Michigan, where he has made 14 tackles with two receptions for 14 yards and two kickoff returns for 28 yards.
Many players would have difficulty dealing with going from stardom to doing the grunt work, but Houma's eyes dance when he talks about his role for the Wolverines.
"A great block can lead to a touchdown or a lot of yards," said Houma, who is 6-0 and 242 pounds, "and so that really excites us. It gives us the motivation to go out and do it again, every chance we get."
When asked to describe the fullback position, Houma said, "We're more of a set up and do type. We don't talk much, we don't say much, but we talk with our helmets and shoulder pads. And we go downhill and attack the linebackers.
"We call ourselves the humble hit men. We do work."
Benson said Houma will do whatever is asked and whatever it takes.
"The biggest thing about Sione is that he loves his teammates," said Benson. "He always does the right thing. He is a team guy, a humble guy. We called him 'The Silent Assassin.'
"Sione is one of the hardest working kids I've ever had. He shows up, shuts up and works. He is not rah-rah but is definitely a leader."
Benson said Houma's deep faith in family and God is at the center of his being. Houma has a tattoo on his upper arm that is taken from the Bible verse Colossians 3:23: "Whatever you do, do with all your heart, because you're working for the Lord, not man."
Benson said Houma had doubts about coming to Michigan and leaving his family and Tongan culture. Salt Lake City is heavily populated with Polynesians such as those from Tonga.
"But Michigan has been really good for him," said Benson. "He was apprehensive about not having other Tongans around, but he's taught people there what he's about and what his culture is about."
Houma led a group of teammates in the haka, a dance popular in Polynesian cultures, at the 2013 Michigan Mock Rock student-athlete variety show and fund-raiser. Their chanting and choreographed dance drew applause from those in attendance at Hill Auditorium.
"He teaches what his culture is in a great manner," said Benson. "Sione is a family guy, and Tongans are all about family. They take care of each other and those around them.
"And nobody does it better than Sione, who is on top of my list."
