Meet the Bulldogs

Bulldogs beat Lindsay, move to 5-3 on the season

Clay White named First Team All-District for Howe Bulldogs

Howe senior offensive lineman Clay White has proved what hard work and determination can do. This season was his first on varsity and first to be a starter. The work put in over the off-season, even suffering through an injury, placed him on the First Team AllDistrict team in perhaps one of the toughest districts in the entire state in Class 3A.

Kevin Bateman (50) was swarmed by his teammates as he hit a buzzer-beating left-handed layup. Photo by Michelle Carney.

The Howe Bulldogs (5-3) took down Lindsay Tuesday night at home by a score of 48-33. Howe was the much more dominant team on the floor, but the Knights kept the game closer at times than it should have been.

Howe jumped out to a great start leading 18-9 after the first period with equal distribution of points as all five starters had at least one bucket. The sophomore/guard tandem of Jacob Campbell and Austin Haley led the way with five points out of the gate early.

But the Bulldogs went cold in the second quarter and only scored five points to Lindsay’s eight which set up a 23-17 halftime score and gave the Knights confidence as they walked off the court.

Howe slammed out of the gate in the third as Campbell took full control of the glass by scoring eight points in the period. The defense continued to suffocate Lindsay by only allowing single digits in each quarter and took a 40-24 lead to the fourth.

Howe only scored eight points in the fourth period, but one bucket sent goose bumps up the spine of those who were in attendance. Senior Kevin Bateman, playing the final moments of the game received a pass and made a lefthanded layup as time expired in the game. Players from the bench and the court all swarmed Bateman, who rarely sees time on the floor during games. As the team entered the locker room, Bateman was surrounded by cheers from his teammates chanting “MVP!” Howe has some time off before opening district with Pottsboro on Dec. 21. Other Howe notables were quarterback Austin Haley, who became Howe’s all-time leading passer in yards, was placed on the second team as well as one of his favorite receiver Cooper Jones. Haley, who finished the season with 143-for-276 with 1,929 yards now has a total of 4,005 passing yards which is the Howe record since the program began in 1935. His 55% career completion percentage is also the highest among ever. Jones was the leading receiver in 2021 with 54 catches for 764 yards and two touchdowns.

Each team in the district names a Utility Player of the Year and Howe selected Kaleb McNutt. Each team also lists a Special Teams Player of the Year, and the Jones took that honor for the Bulldogs as well.

Howe’s players receiving Honorable Mention were Jaryn Grisham, Ethan Lopez, Luis Gonzalez, Ryan Hough, Carson Daniels, and Mahlon Walker. Howe placed several on the Academic All-District team including Austin Haley, Ryan Hough, Mahlon Walker, Carson Daniels, Kolin Murphy, Ethan Lopez, Cooper Jones, Caleb Hix, Landin Duty, Ayden Burris, Clay White, Charlie Vera, and Asher Reinhardt.