MAC Howland trounces Alliance

The Tigers' big and powerful offensive line was too much for Alliance.
By JOHN KOVACH
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
HOWLAND -- There is an old saying in football to the effect that ball carriers are only as good as their blockers.
The Howland High offensive line proved that again Friday night against Alliance, as the huge and powerful all-senior unit consistently plowed open big holes for senior running back Tony Davis and junior running back Dante DiVeste, powering the Tigers to a 42-14 blowout of the Aviators, clinching a share of the Metro Athletic Conference title.
Davis rushed for 141 yards on 14 carries, including a 4-yard TD run, while DiVeste bulled his way to a pair of TDs on runs of 5 and 4 yards, as Howland built a 21-7 halftime lead and then added three more scores for a commanding 42-7 lead.
The Tigers (7-1, 5-0) also got Lance Smith's 65-yard TD run with a fumble and Mike Tominey's 17-yard scoring dash, while junior quarterback Brad Lockney hit Josh Settlemire with a 36-yard TD strike, and Cody Chappell kicked five extra points.
Lockney was 4-for-7 passing for 63 yards, while Settlemire caught three aerials for 59 yards. DiVeste finished with 69 yards rushing in 11 carries.
Davis' TD was set up by Mario Zambelli's fumble recovery that he returned to Alliance's 20, while four of the Tigers' five other TDs came on long drives spearheaded by the offensive line.
Howland entered the game ranked No. 2 in Division II, Region 5 of the computer ratings, and No. 2 in Div. II by the Associated Press.
Offensive line excels
"The offensive line is one of the strengths of our team," said Howland coach Dick Angle, referring to Joe Bell, Brad Samsa, Ryan Machuzak, Dusty Rose, Chris Kenney, Brett Davis and Jeff Cook. "They are big, strong and physical. They are very intelligent."
Angle said the veteran offensive unit has been playing together "from junior varsity to varsity -- three years now." And they excel "from tight end to tight end."
Angle said the right side of the line -- Samsa, Rose and Kenney -- proved to be the key force, but the left side -- Machuzak, Davis and Cook -- also paved the way.
And, "center Joe Bell made the offensive calls," said Angle. Even coach Ron Kuceyeski of Alliance (4-4, 1-4) said Howland's offensive line was the difference in the game.
"We couldn't match up with them size-wise," Kuceyeski said. "But I though we moved the ball well against them." Alliance enjoyed a 272-206 rushing yards advantage, but Howland had a 22-15 first-down margin.
Alliance outmatched
Kuceyeski said his team was outmatched physically. "We are very weak strength-wise. We haven't been getting into the weight room," he said.
He also blamed mistakes.
"We made too many turnovers," he said, [and too many] penalties.
Alliance got off to a strong start, taking the opening kickoff and moving 77 yards in six plays with quarterback Charles Babb hitting Coty Bates on a 19-yard TD pass and Tyler Newman kicking the first of two placements.
But Howland quickly adjusted defensively and thwarted Alliance until the final period when Stephen Hancox scored on a 20-yard run.
Angle said secondary coach Dominic Menendez identified the breakdown, and made adjustments that blunted Alliance's momentum.
"He corrected it." said Angle of Menendez. Angle lauded Tony Davis and Lance Smith.
"[Tony] brings the best out of our team. He is a slippery character [with the ball]. He has the knack to [make a big run]." And, "His backup, sophomore Lance Smith, is going to be just as good,"
Junior tailback Kendell Davis led Alliance's ground attack with 141 yards in 14 carries, while Hancox added 54 yards in five carries and Dustin McCrea 54 yards in five runs. Babb hit on 5-for-15 passing for 65 yards, McCrea getting two catches for 26 yards.
kovach@vindy.com