Howland bounces back from loss

Tony Davis led the Tigers in a 41-7 rout of Girard.
By DAVE DEVEREUX
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
GIRARD -- Howland coach Dick Angle wondered how his team would respond after its season-opening setback to state-power Cleveland Benedictine.
On Friday night, the Tigers played like a team anxious to get back on the winning track.
Senior tailback Tony Davis scored three touchdowns and the Tigers (1-1) rushed for 253 yards in a 41-7 rout over Girard (1-1).
"It was a good comeback after last week," Angle said.
"We're used to opening the season with a victory. Four years in a row we've won our first game," he added. "So after we got beat up pretty good score-wise, you're waiting to see how the kids would respond and tonight our kids did a great job."
Strong showing
Davis, who has committed to play defensive back at Penn State, showed he has much to offer on the offensive side of the ball as well.
Davis rushed for 122 yards on 21 carries, scoring on runs of 5 and 41 yards while adding a 63-yard touchdown reception to open the scoring on the Tigers' first possession of the game.
"We just wanted to come out and redeem ourselves tonight," Davis said. "When we lost we just kept our composure and came out and did what we do best."
The Howland offensive line managed to wear down the Girard defense as the game progressed. Sophomore running back Lance Smith and senior Mike Tominey added to the Tigers' ground game, tallying 52 yards apiece.
Smith added a 5-yard touchdown run in the third quarter.
Tale of two teams
The passing game was also efficient for Howland. Junior Brad Lockney connected on 6-of-8 passes for 138 yards, including a 19-yard touchdown pass to Chris Kenney.
"Our quarterback can throw the football," Angle said. "We mixed up some things and it worked well in keeping them off-balance."
Girard quarterback Matt Zuppo, who passed for 336 yards in last week's victory against Niles, found little room to work against a stingy and speedy Howland defense. He finished 9 of 25 for 77 yards and was intercepted twice.
Zuppo rushed 13 times for 76 yards and scored on a 12-yard run to give Girard the lead 7-6 with 5:59 to play in the first quarter. Howland, however, would score 35 unanswered points to pull away.
The game was delayed 20 minutes at the start and play was suspended one hour due to lightning.