Tigers' tank filled with plenty of talent

Tony Davis generates excitement, but his teammates clear the way.
By BRIAN RICHESSON
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
HOWLAND -- Your eyes tend to follow the football into the arms of Howland High running back Tony Davis.
During the course of a game, that happens quite often. And quite often, Davis finds the end zone.
But this isn't about Tony Davis. This is about the Tigers (10-1), who are preparing for their Division II regional semifinal Friday against Copley (8-3) at Twinsburg High stadium.
While Davis is running free or reading a quarterback's eyes from his defensive back position, other parts of the Howland team are working.
You probably didn't even know about senior noseguard Ryan Mowery and the role he plays.
"I'm the sacrificial lamb," Mowery said. "I try to take up two or three guys [on the opponent's offensive line] so the linebackers can run around me and make the play."
How do you know when you've done your job?
"When the quarterback's on the floor," Mowery said.
In the trenches
And you probably don't know the players who line up beside Mowery on the defensive line -- senior tackle Brad Samsa and junior nosetackle Chris Machuzak.
"They go unnoticed because they protect our linebackers," Howland coach Dick Angle said. "They help players like Lance [Smith], [Mike] Zambelli, Robby Wyand and Brandon Alexander make a lot of tackles."
Last week, the defense had a big part in Howland rallying from a 14-3 halftime deficit against Twinsburg and winning 24-17 in two overtimes. When the Tigers needed key stops in the second half, they got them.
"You just have to stay calm," Mowery said. "That's what the playoffs are about."
Trail of Tigers
Junior Brad Lockney is the team's quarterback, a player who isn't exactly "flashy" -- as Angle described after a Week 10 victory over Warren Kennedy -- but he gets the job done.
"He's really stepped up this year and filled the position," senior center Joe Bell said. "He's done a great job."
Bell is part of an offensive line that opens holes for Davis and makes him look even better. Bell is flanked by senior guards Ryan Machuzak and Samsa and tackles Jeff Cook, a senior, and Dusty Rose, a junior.
"Tackle to tackle, they're five of the finest offensive linemen I've coached in my 30-some years," Angle said. "They don't make very many mistakes, they're very conscientious coming off the ball and doing their assignments, and they make a lot of adjustments during a game."
Special contributor
And you mustn't forget about senior Cody Chappell, whose leg is instrumental -- kicking and punting -- in the Tigers winning the battle for field position.
"He's a soccer guy, a basketball guy, a tennis guy," Angle said, "and he spends a lot of time with football. After he's done kicking, he doesn't have to hang around, but he does. He's certainly a weapon that has gotten us to where we are today."
Come Friday against Copley, Davis may get plenty of carries and take off on a number of pretty runs. But when you find your eyes focusing on him, stop and take a look around.
Otherwise, you might miss something.
richesson@vindy.com