Howland’s ‘hogs’ difference in 4-0 start

The Tigers’ offensive line has been dominating opponents this season.

By CHUCK HOUSTEAU

VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT

HOWLAND — When you watch the Howland High football team perform, it’s easy to admire the running talents of tailbacks Nathan Cope and Dante Marsh and fullback Solomon Jackson.

You’ve probably enjoyed the play of sophomore quarterback Matt Preston engineering the offense.

But if you look a little deeper, you’ll notice the guys behind the scenes.

Or in this case, in front of the action.

These are athletes who never get mentioned on the Friday night highlight shows or in the game stories printed Saturday mornings.

These are the guys that get yelled at in practice daily and stage grueling one-on-one blocking and tackling sessions three days a week to prepare for a thankless job of winning football games.

Getting ready for Struthers

At Howland, “The Hogs” are hard at work on Tuesday of game week as the Tigers prepare for action Friday night against the Struthers Wildcats.

“The Hogs,” as the Tiger linemen sometimes refer to themselves, are the reason Howland is off to a 4-0 start in 2007 and have high expectations to make a run at the Metro Athletic Conference title.

“The offensive line, they’re where it’s at,” said veteran Howland coach Dick Angle. “They’re my favorite people.

“We always have a saying in our program, ‘If you want to gain yards be the tailback, if you want to score touchdowns be the fullback and if you want to get your butt chewed out be a lineman.’ ”

Angle’s favorite people this year are tight ends Josh Lott (senior three-year letterman) and Tyler Scott (junior letterman); tackles Craig Stan (junior) and Clay Cooper (junior returning starter); guards David Cox (senior letterman) and Matt Cash (junior) and center Kyle Stan (junior). Mike Zakrajsek (junior) also gets a lot of playing time.

These eight linemen play a major role in determining if the Tigers can make a run at postseason play.

Unleash running game

So far, the Tigers have been running away from the opposition this season with over 700 yards on the ground in four games.

Marsh leads Howland with 270 yards rushing while Cope, who is a Division I prospect, has amassed 235 yards on the ground.

But how about some props for guys like Lott and Cox?

These two say they’re used to trying to pick out their numbers on the highlight shows since their names never get mentioned.

“It’s just the thing that comes with the job,” said Cox. “We get used to it after a while.”

Lott seems to take his role a little more serious, albeit with a smile.

“The backs kind of have it easy,” said Lott. “They just have to run through the holes. We gotta make the holes and if we miss a block everyone knows it.”

Coach lauds linemen

One guy who knows and appreciates the job the line does every week is Angle.

“The linemen are at the point of attack at every play or you’re going to be in big trouble,” said Angle. “These guys love to play the game. They have great respect for each other and they are very coachable.

“Our group is fast and they are physical and that’s a good combination.”

Cox and Lott know their jobs, do it well and take their roles in stride.

“We have great backs here but they know where they get their yards from,” Lott said.

“They always make sure they give us credit when they do well,” added Cox. “We never have to put them in their place.”