Howland defeated by Cle. Benedictine, 31-3

The Bengals are one of the top teams in Division III this season.
By JOE SCALZO
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
HOWLAND -- Howland High football coach Dick Angle looked like a disappointed man on Thursday. But he didn't look like a defeated one.
On paper, the Tigers' 31-3 loss to Div. III powerhouse Cleveland Benedictine wasn't the best way to open the season. But it shouldn't overshadow how far they've come since Angle took over six years ago.
Until this year, Howland wouldn't have dared schedule a game like this.
"No way, no way" Angle said. "We've definitely come a long way.
"But we've still got a long way to go."
The Bengals showed why they're one of the state's top teams, but they didn't blow out the Tigers.
They gradually pulled away, making the most of their opportunities on offense, while clamping down on defense when it mattered.
"Our depth helped," Benedictine coach Art Bortnick said. "As the game wore on, especially in the second half, we kind of wore them down. Our backs started breaking tackles and that's a sign of fatigue."
The difference-maker
One back, however, was breaking tackles from the start.
Benedictine's senior standout Raymond Williams juked, spun and raced his way to 227 yards on 17 carries, scoring two touchdowns.
Williams, who ran for over 3,000 yards last season, is being heavily recruited by several schools, including Ohio State. He finished second to Kenton's Ben Mauk in last year's Mr. Football voting.
"He's a great back," said Angle. "We wanted to limit the number of times he touched the ball and the way to do that was to control the football. But we had way too many three-and-outs."
But Benedictine is more than just one player. The Bengals return 19 starters from last year's team, which lost in the Div. III state final to Columbus Watterson.
"I certainly understand why they're the No. 1-ranked team in Cleveland," Angle said. "If there's anyone better, I'd like to see them."
Howland, the preaseason favorite to win the Metro Athletic Conference, also returns plenty of talent from last year's team, which finished as the Div. II regional runner-up.
Senior Tony Davis, a Penn State recruit, led the Tigers with 17 carries for 68 yards, while junior quarterback Brad Lockney completed 6-of-12 passes for 69 yards and an interception.
"Howland played awfully hard," Bortnick said. "We play such a tough schedule and I'm sure they were aiming for us. It took a little wake-up call for us to understand that every team that plays us is here to play ball."
Taking advantage
Howland had a chance to score first, but Cody Chappel was wide left on a 38-yard field goal attempt late in the first quarter.
Two plays later, Williams broke away for a 72-yard touchdown run to give the Bengals a 7-0 lead on the last play of the first quarter.
Chappel connected from 45 yards out to cut the deficit to 7-3, but Maurice White had a 1-yard touchdown run and Sam Koyl hit a 31-yard field goal to give the Bengals a 17-3 halftime lead.
White scored again -- this time on an 8-yard touchdown run -- to open the second half and Williams followed with a 4-yard touchdown run on the Bengals' next drive to complete the scoring.
"One game doesn't make a season," Angle said. "We're going to put it behind us."
They'll also try to learn from it. And, hopefully, get better because of it.
"Will this make us a better football team? Time will tell," Angle said. "But I think it will."
scalzo@vindy.com