Team

Howland

Record	Div.	Conf.
6/4	Div. III	All-American Conference Red Tier

Team

Niles

Record	Div.	Conf.
2/8	Div. III	All-American Conference Red Tier

By Steve ruman

sports@vindy.com

NILES

Prior to Thursday’s 41st meeting between Howland and Niles, Tigers coach Dominic Menendez had one simple message for his team.

“I told them that the post-season begins now,” Menendez said. “Our last three games are basically just that, playoff games that will take place in a playoff atmosphere.”

Howland entered the contest ranked 14th in Division III, Region 7, and were within striking distance of the top eight. That standing should improve following the Tigers’ 37-20 road win over the Red Dragons.

Howland lifts its record to 6-2, while Niles falls to 3-5.

Howland junior Tyriq Ellis played a major role in spoiling Niles’ homecoming. Ellis rushed for 193 yards and three touchdowns on 29 carries. Junior Steve Baugh also provided a huge lift for the Tigers with a 40-yard touchdown reception and returned a blocked punt that resulted in a score.

Niles was led by junior quarterback Tyler Srbinovich, who completed 14 of 32 passes for 220 yards. Marlon Pearson pulled in six of those receptions for 118 yards while Rich Limongi had four catches for 84 yards, including a 26-yard touchdown.

However, the Dragons’ running game was limited to just 93 yards.

“Hats off to our defense, they played a solid game,” Menendez said. “Offensively, we were able to sustain some drives and move the football, that’s a credit to our line, our offensive and defensive lines did a nice job.”

“We were fortunate to come away with a win.”

Ellis scored on runs of 1 and 18 yards, and junior quarterback Jake Lester (6-of-10, 157 yards) hooked up with Baugh on the 40-yard scoring play to give Howland a 20-6 lead at halftime.

The Tigers took the opening possession of the second half and erased 7:01 off the clock on a 13-play drive that resulted in a missed field goal. However, following a three-and-out by Niles, Howland defender Mike Gentile broke through the line to block a punt that was returned to the end zone by Baugh.

“That was a momentum changer,” Niles coach Brian Shaner said. “We play great on defense, we get the ball back. We didn’t do a very good job on that offensive series that forced us to punt from deep in our territory.

“In high school football, momentum is a huge part of the game and (Howland) definitely got a big swing on that,” Shaner added.

Niles eventually cut its deficit to 30-20 when Srbinovich scored from a yard out with 8:39 left in the game. However, the Tigers responded with an eight-play drive that was capped by an Ellis one-yard touchdown run. Ellis carried the ball six times in the drive for 67 yards.

“Again, our line did a really nice job of stepping up when we needed it to,” Menendez said. “(Ellis) had a really nice series. We needed that drive to change the momentum. That series was definitely a big swing in the game.”

Depsite the loss, Shaner was upbeat about his team’s effort.

“I thought we played with a lot of heart tonight,” Shaner said. “Our guys had a great week of practice and we played a very good football team. I think Howland would admit they were in a football game tonight.”

Howland finishes the season with games against Canfield (5-2) and Warren G. Harding (5-3).

“We have two big rivals coming up, and we know we have to continue to win to get in, it’s that simple,” Menendez said.