Howland-JFK rivalry to hit field after absence

Longtime JFK Coach: Tony Napolet

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Howland Spirit

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By Jon Moffett

Proximity makes the rivalry special, Howland’s director of activities said.

WARREN — All that separates Warren John F. Kennedy and Howland high schools are three miles.

What brings the two schools together is more than 40 years of history between the football teams.

The two schools have been fierce rivals since the late 1960s, said Rick King, Howland’s director of activities.

“It epitomizes what high school football rivalries are about,” King said. “The close proximity makes it so that there is a crisscrossing of students seeing each other. It’s for bragging rights in Trumbull County.”

King said because of the proximity of the schools, many students are familiar with their rivals. Families are made up of alumni from both schools, and kids are friends with their counterparts off the field.

The rivalry had been put on ice for the past two seasons as a result of Howland’s involvement in the All-American Conference as Kennedy remained an independent. However, both schools understood the importance of the rivalry and worked to get the game back. After a two-year absence, the game will take place at 7 p.m. Friday at Howland’s Richard Lombardo Stadium where the Tigers will have a chance to avenge the 2005 loss to the Eagles.

“It was disappointing at first, because you want your kids to play in these local rivalries,” King said. “But now it is back and a lot of people are excited about it.”

“The last two years have been really disappointing,” said Brittany Maughan, a senior at Howland and captain of the cheerleading squad. “But this year will be twice as good and we’ll be twice as ready to beat them.”

Maughan’s honorary co-captain, Krista Burns, also a senior, agreed.

“It’s really exciting to be part of this,” Burns said. “I’m just really glad the rivalry is back.”

Students at both schools spent the week preparing for the showdown. Howland had a different dress-up theme for each day, including Feel the Pulse Friday, which encourages students to wear as much black and orange as possible.

Kennedy had their Spirit Week earlier in the year during homecoming week, but has a pep rally planned for Friday. Earlier in the week, students painted banners and signs to build up the hype.

Students don’t really need extra motivation to know what the game means, said Tony Napolet, who has been coaching football at Kennedy for nearly 40 years.

“Oh they get it,” Napolet said of the student body. “The parents and fans get really involved with it, which makes it easier for all of the kids to get involved.”

John Gillen, Kennedy’s athletic director, echoed Napolet’s sentiments.

“It’s great for the kids,” Gillen said.

King, who has been with Howland for 33 years and previously coached the football team for 20 years, said the student body at Howland also understands the importance of the game.

“You don’t have to do too much to get these kids pumped up,” King said. “Just walk through the hallway and say ‘Kennedy’ and everyone gets excited.”

Howland’s current coach, Dick Angle, is entering his 11th year as head coach and will experience his ninth Kennedy game Friday.

“This game is important because it’s the only game we get to play this week,” Angle said.

Kennedy enters the game with a 3-6 record while Howland is 6-3 and a poised for a postseason appearance. Despite Kennedy’s record, Angle said he knows the Eagles will be ready.

“[Coach Tony] Napolet is the dean of football in Trumbull County, and maybe even in the entire Mahoning Valley,” Angle said. “When you play him, you had better be ready or he’ll pin your ears back.”

jmoffett@vindy.com