METRO-ATHLETIC CONFERENCE Howland cruises to league title, 57-28

The Tigers defeated the Struthers Wildcats in near-perfect game.
By PAUL TRGOVAC
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
STRUTHERS -- When Dick Angle took over the football program at Howland High School, one of his goals was to make the playoffs.
The Tigers have done that.
His other goal was to win the Metro Athletic Conference Title, something that Howland had never done.
On Friday night, that goal was attained as Howland played a near-perfect game and defeated Struthers, 57-28.
The victory, the Tigers' eighth straight win in a row after a loss to Cleveland Benedictine to open the season, enabled Howland to finish MAC action with a perfect 6-0 record.
"When we started we wanted to get into the playoffs and to win a league title," Angle said. "We've been in the playoffs, but it took a little while to win a title
With this win I think we will be home for the first round of the playoffs which will be great for our fans," Angle said.
Howland is ranked seventh in this week's Associated Press poll of Ohio's Division II teams and the number two team in Region 9 of the computer ratings.
Highlights
Tony Davis rushed for 177 yards on 22 carries with two scores while Brandon Alexander caught three passes for 99 yards and two touchdowns.
Brad Lockney was 4 of 7 passing for 142 yards and two touchdowns while Mike Tominey added two touchdowns on the ground.
For Struthers (5-4, 3-2), Tim Zetts completed 16 of 33 passes for 221 yards and three scores.
Thanks to great returns on special teams, Howland started nine of their 12 drives in the game in Struthers territory. And the one time the Tigers were in the hole at their own 1 yard line, they moved 99 yards for their third touchdown on the first half.
After each team had a possession to start the game, Howland scored first on Alexander's 26-yard reception from Lockney, giving the Tigers a 7-0 lead.
Struthers answered back on a 10-play, 66-yard drive with Brian Walton scoring on a 6-yard run to tie the game at 7 all after one quarter.
Davis capped a 10-play, 34-yard drive with his first touchdown run from 10 yards out and Howland led 14-7.
The Tigers then moved 99 yards in eight plays with Alexander catching a 35-yard scoring strike from Lockney to take a 21-7 lead at halftime.
Howland scored 16 points in the first 2:16 of the third quarter.
After a 45-yard kickoff return by Lance Smith set up the Tigers at the Wildcats 39, Davis carried the ball three straight times and scored from the 8 for a 28-7 advantage.
The Tigers recorded a safety when Zetts had to cover a bad snap in the end zone.
Smith returned the free kick 55 yards to the Struthers 3 yard line. Mike Tominey scored on the next play and Howland had a 37-7 advantage.
The numbers
The Tigers had 274 yards rushing and 142 yards passing for 416 yards.
Struthers had 221 yards passing and 46 yards rushing for 267 yards.
The Tigers had three kickoff returns for 142 yards, and also had 110 yards in punt returns.
Howland also recorded three quarterback sacks, two by Mike Zembelli.
"I was worried all game long, with Gary Zetts being such an offensive genius that we never had enough points. Our special teams have been good all year long," Angle said.
"We got some great returns to set us up. Mike Zembelli has been one of our defensive leaders," Angle said. "He has been an awesome player for us this year. He was one of our few returners on defense."