HoweEnterprise.com
October 31, 2022
8
Bulldogs (Continued from page 6)
Howe finally got on the board again just before the half when Haley ran it in from the six yard line to cut the Blue Ridge lead to 36-15 after Haley ran in the 2-point conversion.
School
*W-L
*Pct.
*PF
*PA
W-L
Pct.
PF
PA
Strk
Gunter
4-0
1.000
218
35
9-0
1.000
408
64
9W
Bells
3-1
0.750
211
96
7-2
0.778
422
183
3W
Leonard
2-2
0.500
64
125
6-3
0.667
239
215
1L
Blue Ridge
2-2
0.500
125
129
5-4
0.556
360
246
1W
Howe
1-3
0.250
90
136
5-4
0.556
311
244
3L
Lone Oak
0-4
0.000
53
240
0-9
0.000
144
470
9L
Leader
Player
Passing
Austin Haley, 1,575 yds, 104-75 (59.43 %), 17 TDs, 5 INTs
Rushing
Antwone Rattler, 1,021 yds, 162 carries, 9 TDs, 5 Fumbles
Receiving
Cooper Jones, 546 yds, 28 catches, 9 TDs
Defense
Beau Stephens, 101 total tackles, 3 sacks
With the defensive adjustments, Blue Ridge was forced to punt on their first two possessions in the second half, however, Howe was also forced to punt on their first possession. On the Dogs’ second possession of the half, Haley broke free on a run to the left and raced to the endzone from the Tiger 25 yard line. As he dove for the endzone, he landed on his already sore shoulder and was visibly in pain. Howe was unable to get the call on the 2-point conversion and the score was 36-21 with 4:00 on the third quarter clock. Howe’s defense again forced a punt, but things began to unravel quickly for the Bulldogs as they were forced to punt on their next possession and a bad snap forced Jones to throw the ball instead of punting it which drew a penalty and gave Blue Ridge the ball at the Howe 22 yard line. But again, Howe’s defense made a stand and Howe took over from their own 15 yard line. Haley, visibly in pain, continued to carry the load and converted a fourth and five by running for 21 yards. Moments later, Rattler appeared to be heading to the endzone to get Howe within 10 points, but the ball popped out and Blue Ridge recovered at the Howe 15 yard line.
An emotional Austin Haley gets a hug from Head Coach Lance Bryan moments after playing his final game at Bulldog Stadium. Photo by Michelle Carney. The Tigers drove the field and scored on Darland’s fourth touchdown of the night as he went in from the five yard line to end the scoring at 42-21 with 1:23 left. Howe will travel to Lone Oak (0-9, 04) next Friday which a win and a Bells win over Leonard would put the Bulldogs in the playoffs for the first time since 2016 when Howe made it to the third round before losing to Mineola, 21-7. Howe is 3-4 overall against Lone Oak. The last meeting took place in 2019 with Howe winning 42-6. The last time Howe played at Lone Oak was 2018 where the Dogs lost 20-12 in an upset.
