DIVISION II FOOTBALL First home playoff game is reward for successful season

Penn State recruit Tony Davis is the featured player for Howland.
By BRIAN RICHESSON
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
HOWLAND -- The Howland High football team has gained respect from its rivals in the Metro Athletic Conference. Now the Tigers hope they can earn it statewide.
It begins Friday at Lombardo Stadium, where Howland will celebrate the first home playoff game in school history. The Tigers (9-1) play host to Twinsburg (5-5) in a Division II regional semifinal.
"The first one is very important because it sends a message to the community, saying, 'You know what? We're a good football program,' " Howland coach Dick Angle said.
"If we can win a regional ranking and have a home game, it makes it easier for our fans to see us," he added. "It gives our community a chance to understand that this is where our program has come."
MAC sweep
Howland's conference opponents already are aware. The Tigers won their first MAC title this season by sweeping their six-game schedule in mostly dominating fashion.
"Before you know it, it's 20-0 and we're not even out of the first quarter," said Canfield coach Mike Pavlansky, whose team lost to Howland 34-6. "They're that explosive."
Much of that explosiveness comes from senior running back/defensive back Tony Davis, a Penn State recruit who has rushed for 1,380 yards and 15 touchdowns this season.
"He had three interceptions and returned one for a touchdown against us," Pavlansky said. "He made an impression on us. He's as advertised."
Struthers coach Gary Zetts added of Davis, "You know he's good before you play him. After you play him, he's better than he looked on tape. He makes you miss and he turns an average play into a good play."
Balancing act
Davis is only part of the challenges Howland presents to its opponents.
"They are really a well-balanced team because the offense not only runs the ball, but they throw the ball well," said Zetts, whose team lost to Howland 57-28.
"Their special teams really help them -- their kicker [senior Cody Chappell] is outstanding -- and their defense is a swarming, hard-hitting defense."
Put that together and you see why Howland finished first in Region 5 and sixth in the Associated Press state poll. And it's why the Tigers are focusing on a playoff run.
First, however, they must deal with Twinsburg.
"They're like a fox in high weeds," Angle said. "Their record is misleading; they very easily could be 8-2, but they lost some close games to some good teams."
Twinsburg prefers to spread the field and throw the ball, Angle noted, but it also runs the option.
"We haven't seen the option a whole lot this season," Angle said, "so that could pose a problem."
Recovery
Fortunately for Howland, it is slowly starting to mend from recent injuries. The Tigers lost starting senior linebackers Mike Zambelli and Jon Tomko to injuries last week against Warren Kennedy.
Zambelli is expected to play Friday, and Tomko is day-to-day, Angle said. In addition, junior fullback Dante DiVeste, hurt in Week 9, had minor knee surgery and could return next week if the Tigers are still playing.
"Our theme all year has been focusing on the task," Angle said. "We can't feel sorry for ourselves and we can't be looking ahead to another playoff game.
"Our kids have been good at focusing during the season," he added. "If we keep the status quo, we'll be OK."
richesson@vindy.com