A blown transformer, which sent electrical sparks showering onto the track behind the Howard School scoreboard, did what Brainerd had been unable to — shut down the Hustlin’ Tigers.
Howard spent much of the first half taking advantage of Brainerd mistakes in racing out to a 27-2 lead with 4:01 left in the second quarter. But just as Eric McCullough crossed the goal line for the Hustlin’ Tigers’ fourth touchdown of the night, there were three loud pops and a spray of what appeared to be fireworks in one end zone. Seconds later, the lights on the visiting side of Howard’s Gaston Stadium went dark.
After a half-hour delay, officials decided to suspend the game until Monday at 7:30 p.m. At that time the game will pick up where it had left off, with Howard looking to close out its fifth consecutive win over the rival Panthers.
“Things like that do occur, but I hate that it did,” Howard coach Alvin Tarver said of the transformer. “It gives Brainerd a chance to recover. Hopefully we can come out with the same intensity on Monday and finish it.
Staff Photo by D. Patrick Harding
Howard's Marcus Shropshire (32) tries regaining his balance as he is pursued by Brainerd's Jamain Geter (60) during the second quarter.
“We pretty much had them where we wanted. But I immediately told our kids games are won in the second half, so we still have work to do.”
The evening began with Howard honoring the late Reggie White by officially naming the field in the Tennessee All-American and Pro Hall of Famer’s honor. A new sign under the scoreboard was unveiled dedicating the field to White, who played for the Hustlin’ Tigers from 1977 to ’79.
“That was very timely to name the field after Reggie White,” Tarver said. “These kids didn’t get a chance to meet him, but they had heard so much about him and it inspired them. It had an impact, and it showed in how we played.”
It was a forgettable first half for the Panthers. A bad punt snap on Brainerd’s opening possession gave the ball to Howard at the Panthers’ 30. Five plays later, sophomore fullback McCullough scored on a 3-yard run, and when Brainerd fumbled the ensuing kickoff, Howard’s Cortez Smiley scooped up the ball and raced 26 yards for a touchdown.
Besides the high punt snap, Brainerd also aided Howard with three lost fumbles, five penalties and four sacks allowed. The Panthers were held to 24 yards on 17 carries before the stoppage, and their only points came when a snap sailed over Howard punter Jerry Caperton’s head and through the end zone for a safety.
After Brainerd’s third lost fumble of the half, this one at its one 11, the Hustlin’ Tigers converted a fourth-and-12 with a 13-yard scoring pass from Michael Bryant to Chris Deloney. Howard then sent its rival reeling by recovering an onside kick, and McCullough capped the drive with an 8-yard TD run for a 27-2 lead.
“Without a doubt, that pass was big,” Tarver said. “They were doubling up on Jahron Reynolds, so we decided since we’ve got this big tight end, we would just toss it up to him.
“I was really happy with the way the defense played. During the preseason they had been unpredictable, but they were aggressive and smart tonight. Hopefully we can continue that Monday.”
Howard is off next Friday, while Brainerd must play another rivalry game, against Tyner at Finley Stadium.
