By Brandon Judeh

sports@vindy.com

HOWLAND

From the opening play, De’Veon Smith’s 35-yard run, to the final play, a Beaver Local fumble, it was all Howland in its 37–14 thrashing of the Beavers in an All-American Conference American Division game.

Their first possession took just 47 seconds as the two play 75-yard drive was capped off with a beautiful pass from Eric Lockney to Chris Maze to give the Tigers (5-1, 2-0) an early advantage.

“We talk continuously about getting better and this was our best offensive first half of the year and after our first score we never looked back,” Howland coach Dick Angle said.

Things only got worse for the Beavers (1-5, 0-3) in the second quarter, when Smith pushed the Beaver Local tacklers ahead three yards, then shed three of them on his way to a spectacular 51-yard Adrian Peterson-like touchdown.

“I owe that all to my offensive line getting out and making some good blocks for me, I wouldn’t of got down field without them, they did a great job out there,” Smith said.

Smith had 142 of his 145 yards in the first half and scored three touchdowns.

With the score 21-0, Angle decided to run the wildcat. The results were the same for the Tigers as wide receiver Brendan Cope led the way with runs of 11 and 27 yards to set up a 1-yard touchdown run by Jordan Radich.

“It’s a blast out there running that offense, especially with De’Veon and our line blocked great,” Cope daid.

Kyle Noble’s 37-yard field goal, right before halftime, gave the Tigers a 37-0 lead, but more impressively, Howland held the Beavers to 39 first-half yards and no first downs.

It was a tough night for the Beavers, but they did manage to get on the board twice in the second half.

Running back Daniel Lattanzio punched it in from 1-yard out to give Beaver Local their first score of the game in the third quarter.

Trevel Thompkin scored on an 8-yard run late in the fourth quarter.

With the high school football season more than half way over, Smith feels his team is on the right track.

“There is always room for improvement, right now we are just taking it one game at a time and getting better each time we hit the field,” he said.

Smith scored on runs of 3, 51 and 10 yards for the Tigers. Lockney threw for 148 yards and a touchdown, while Maze caught four passes for 89 yards and a touchdown. He also had an interception.

Justin Osbourne led Beaver Local with 64 yards receiving, One of his catches went for 49 yards.

Howland visits AAC American Division rival Poland in Week 7. Angle knows the Tigers will be tested.

“Poland has a great program and coaching staff,” he said. “It’s always a very meaningful game in our league and we are going to have to go out and play well for four quarters.”