By Doug Chapin

The Tigers defeated Warren JFK and may play at home next Friday.

HOWLAND — Senior running backs Dante Marsh and Solomon Jackson both cracked the 100-yard rushing mark as the Howland High football team pounded out 315 yards on the ground in a 21-7 triumph over Warren JFK Friday at Lombardo Field.

The win, Howland’s sixth in a row, sewed up a playoff berth for the Tigers (7-3) who may play host to a first-round game Friday night. Howland stood fourth in the Division II, Region 5 standings going into the regular-season finale.

“We’re pretty sure we’ll have a home game. We don’t know if we will finish third or fourth, but we expect to have a home game,” Howland coach Dick Angle said. “It’s great to be back in the playoffs.

“When we started off 1-3, our kids kept their noses to the grindstone and through hard work and playing games one week at a time we got to 7-3.

“That’s a great record for the competition we played,” Angle said. “And … it’s great to be a part of winning the first AAC title after winning the last MAC championship last year.”

Howland, Poland and Canfield all finished 3-1 in the All-American Conference Red Division.

Marsh was a workhorse against the Eagles (3-7), grinding out 170 yards on 24 carries. Jackson ran for 129 yards on just 10 carries, one an 88-yard rumble for a touchdown in the fourth quarter. Jackson also had a 3-yard touchdown run late in the third period.

“Our offensive line at halftime wanted to run the ball,” Angle said. “We had some success in the second quarter, but fumbled the ball just before halftime. Marsh and Jackson were running real hard so that was the plan, pound the ball and throw in a few dink passes to keep them honest.”

Howland scored on the first play of the second quarter, culminating a 10-play, 86-yard drive. Marsh carried six times on the drive, gaining 67 yards. The score came on a 14-yard pass from Matt Preston to Tyler Scott.

A 53-yard, seven-play drive late in the third quarter ended with Jackson’s 3-yard scoring run.

Mike Mangiarelli then ended a JFK threat with an interception at the 5-yard line. Three plays later from the 12, Jackson busted through the line and went the distance, shaking off a would-be tackler near midfield.

“Mike Mangiarelli sort of flipped the switch for us, making a big play in the Canfield game, and he and the defense have been making big plays ever since,” Angle said. “I think Mangiarelli did a wonderful job tonight against number four [Nick Brown] today. That’s a big-time receiver at 6-foot-6 and Mike was covering him one-on-one and did an absolutely fantastic job.”

JFK quarterback Dominic LaPolla accounted for 66 yards rushing, 74 yards passing and the Eagles’ only touchdown. He scored from 32 yards out with 1:05 remaining in the game.

“We were inconsistent, that’s nothing new. I thought our kids played hard,” JFK coach Tony Napolet said. “We had opportunities in the first half and we couldn’t get it done. We had opportunities in the second half and couldn’t get it done. But they played hard and I’m proud of them. Howland is a decent team. I’m happy we are playing them again and wish them luck in the playoffs.”