With more experience,

Howland plotting return

to normalcy this season

By ED PUSKAS

epuskas@vindy.com

HOWLAND

Followers of the Howland High School football team may not recognize Richard Lombardo Stadium when the Tigers host Poland in Week 3 after back-to-back road games to start the season.

Howland is one of several Mahoning Valley programs getting new turf fields.

Second-year head coach Steve Boyle, who played on the Tigers’ natural grass field almost two decades ago, hopes the 2019 Howland team also looks much different.

The Tigers went 1-9 in 2018, Boyle’s first as the head coach at his alma mater.

“One thing we lacked last year was we didn’t have a lot of guys back who had any playing experience,” Boyle said, as the installation of Howland’s new field continued behind him.

The lack of experience created two major problems last season. The Tigers struggled on both sides of the ball. They averaged just 11.3 points and 180.5 yards per game and they allowed 31.1 points and 302 yards.

Those issues are historically rare for Howland, which for years has employed an effective ground game to set up play-action passes and prided itself on a hard-hitting and stingy defense.

Two-way player Garrett Deemer figures to be a player who can help the Tigers get better on both sides of the ball. He’ll start at tailback and middle linebacker.

“Garrett Deemer is one of the guys we hang our hat on, along with Justin Jones, Ja’wahn Dean and Willie Hines,” Boyle said. “Those are guys who’ve really done a lot for us.”

Deemer said he has noticed a change from last summer’s preseason preparation.

“This year, we had a high amount of people who came out and were trying to get better,” he said.

OFFENSE

The 6-foot, 205-pound Deemer figures to get the bulk of the carries as the featured tailback. Junior Eric Babinchak also returns. He was Howland’s second-leading rusher with 257 yards last season.

Senior David Burman will replace the graduated Jordan Fronzaglio at quarterback. Senior wideout Ja’wahn Dean (6-0, 175) figures to be a primary target for Burman.

Boyle said junior Brayden Gibson (6-2, 215) and tight end Justin Jones (6-3, 210) will be the tight ends. They may catch some of Burman’s passes, but , but you can be sure that with Howland’s power run game, their duties will include plenty of blocking.

Three starters return up front. Senior guards Dillon Blenton (5-11, 230) and Kevin Chopko (5-11, 225) are back, along with junior tackle Stone Waters (5-11, 240).

DEFENSE

Deemer wants to make sure the Tigers return to their solid defensive ways.

“As the middle linebacker, I’m going to make it my job to make sure every player knows what we should be doing every play,” Deemer said. “That way, we don’t have a situation where a guy loses contain or we’re in the wrong coverage.”

Boyle said the Tigers are rotating as many as 10 players on the defensive front.

“It keeps us fresh,” he said.

Deemer and senior Keith Cruse (5-10, 205) return at linebacker.

The secondary returns Dean and Hines as three-year starters on the corners.

SPECIAL TEAMS

Boyle said sophomore Gage Gibson is getting the bulk of the work as the punter. He said two players are vying for the kicking job.

Hines returns kicks for the Tigers.

OUTLOOK

Howland is suddenly playing an independent schedule after years in the All-American Conference’s Red Tier. The Tigers will find out where they stand from the start, with four consecutive difficult games to begin the season.

Howland opens Thursday on the road against historic rival Niles, which handled the Tigers 28-6 at Richard Lombardo Stadium last season.

Deemer said the Tigers are motivated for their visit to Bo Rein Stadium.

“Especially after the way they beat us here on our field last year,” he said.

It doesn’t get any easier after the Red Dragons. Howland visits Hubbard in Week 2, then hosts Poland and plays at Boardman.

“We’ve got four real good ones right in a row,” Boyle said. “We’ve got to find out what we can and can’t do.”