Howland comes back with big win

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The Tigers had too much offense for Niles in a 48-3 victory at Bo Rein Stadium.

By John Kovach

NILES — How good is the Howland High football team this season?

Just ask coach Brad Yeager of Niles, whose Red Dragons were buried by the Tigers, 48-3, Thursday night in an All-American Conference Red Division “Mud Bowl” at Bo Rein Stadium.

“I don’t see how Poland shut out this team,” said Yeager, referring to Howland’s 17-0 loss to the Bulldogs last week. “They are good team. [Their] offensive line was opening holes.”

Indeed, Howland’s blocking paved the way for senior speedster Mike Mangiarelli and freshman Deveon Smith to score a pair of touchdowns each— all in the first half — as the Tigers (7-1, 3-1) stayed close behind Poland (2-0) in the division standings.

Mangiarelli, who runs like a deer and could go the distance if he gets into the clear, sprinted for big-play touchdowns covering 69 and 59 yards, and finished with 155 yards rushing in just 10 carries.

Smith, who runs like a bowling ball and belies his young freshman year, scored on runs of 4 and 6 yards and burrowed for 102 yards rushing in 14 carries.

The two galloping Tigers managed to run for all that yardage despite muddy conditions that hampered even walking on the field, as they spearheaded Howland to a 337-64 rushing yards advantage as well as a 20-5 first-down bulge.

Smith’s scores capped drives of 65 yards in nine plays and 75 yards in eight plays.

And junior Brandon Neilan chipped in with 57 yards in 11 rushes.

“Smith did not look like a freshman running out there,” said Yeager, whose Red Dragons managed to score only on Jordan Cline’s 27-yard field goal in the first period, and fell into a 34-3 halftime hole. “We were missing a lot of tackles.”

Quarterback Matt Preston also scored for Howland on a 1-yard run to cap an eight-play, 55-yard drive, while placekicker Chris McClearn was 4-for-5 in extra-point kicks — all also coming in the first half.

The Niles (4-4, 1-2) defense managed to brace in the third quarter to hold Howland scoreless, but then the Tiger subs broke free in the fourth quarter as Daniel Russell scored on a 1-yard plunge and Josh Douglass tallied from the 7-yard line.

Their scores were set up by turnovers and capped by kicks from John Parker and Anthony DeSalvo, respectively.

Brandon Miller blocked a punt at the Niles 8-yard line and Mike McClearn recovered a fumble at the Red Dragons’ 35 to set up Howland’s final two scores.

Coach Dick Angle of Howland lauded his backs and line.

“We have gifted backs,” said Angle, referring to Mangiarelli, Smith and Neilan. “Mike [Mangiarelli] continues to play well on both sides. Deveon Smith ran well as did Brandon Neilan.”

Angle also called Preston “very unselfish. He didn’t throw a lot but when he did he was right on the money [2-for-2 for 45 yards]. He runs the team unselfishly.”

Angle also showered praise on the offensive line.

“The offensive line did a good job,” said Angle, crediting its path-clearing performance to preparation by two assistant coaches.

“Our line coaches, Scott Thompson and Bob Toth, both did a good job preparing our offensive line. And we hade two starters out — Donny DeArment and Chuck Sayre.”

kovach@vindy.com