The junior had over 2,300 all-purpose yards.

COLUMBUS (AP) — Erick Howard is turning his life around. Being the 22nd winner of The Associated Press Mr. Football award is just a sign along the way that he’s on the right road.

Howard, announced Tuesday as the choice of a media panel from around the state in one of the closest votes ever, is a tough running back at North Canton Hoover.

His numbers on the field are impressive.

That he’s trying to change direction off it is far more important.

“I used to be what you might call a mess-up,” the 5-foot-10, 210-pound junior said.

“I got into trouble. I did not get good grades. But I’ve worked really hard the last year and a half and I feel like I’m turning my life around.”

His father was killed in an industrial accident when he was 8 years old. His mother recently traveled to the Pacific Northwest to be with Erick’s sister, who is having her first child.

Erick has gotten by because of football. It has been his life raft. He basically lives in the basement of coach Don Hertler’s home.

“He’s a good kid. He just hasn’t had ...” — here is when Hertler searches for just the right words — “... much of a foundation. But for the first time in his life, there’s stability.”

Hoover went 9-1 in the regular season, sliding into the top 10 teams in the state in Division I. The main reason was Howard.

He carried 285 times for 1,795 yards and scored 25 touchdowns. While piling up 2,322 all-purpose yards, he totaled 28 touchdowns. When he wasn’t racing past defenders, he was a defender racing up to make tackles. Playing linebacker, he had three sacks, two interceptions, caused two fumbles and had six tackles for minus yardage.

With Howard doing yeoman work, the Vikings made their first trip to the state semifinals in more than 20 years before losing to Cleveland St. Ignatius. Howard finished with 2,387 yards on 404 carries with 31 touchdowns.

“As a running back, he’s got good speed, great power, great balance,” Hertler said. “No one ever talks about his balance, but he finds yards that most guys don’t find.”

Howard has also found friends in the program, teammates who stand by him and help him. He returns the favor.

“When a game’s on the line, he has that extra ‘it’ to do what needs to be done and to win the game,” Hertler said. “I don’t know how many fourth quarters he has been given the ball and won the game for us.”

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