Howard coach Mark Teague blows a horn to move his team to their next assignment during practice Monday.Pedal to the metal
Niejel Billingsley is back with football and already making an impact on Howard's team.
"He's an automatic leader and it's infectious," Tigers coach Mark Teague said of the fullback/linebacker.
It wasn't always that way. Teague and the senior butted heads at the outset of the 2014 season, and the only thing they could agree on was parting ways.
"He wasn't used to structure or discipline," Teague recalled. "He was angry all the time. His head was spinning."
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HOWARD HUSTLIN’ TIGERSRegion 3-3ARed Gaston Stadium, Reggie White Field, 2500 South Market St.,Chattanooga, TN 37408Driver’s seat: Mark Teague (0-10 in one year here and overall)Road tested: 10 offensive, 10 defensive starters return
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Pump the brakes: For the first time in a handful of years, the Tigers aren’t casting about for players but actually have battles for starters at CB (to join Kedarrius Phinazee), DB and LB.
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Route ’15: When he had his first practice in the spring of 2014, Teague had six players show up. The Tigers now have 50 who are dedicated. Early survival will be a key to the season — three of the first four games are on the road (at DCA, Red Bank and Baylor) before their second home game against 2014 state semifinalist Notre Dame.
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Taking the wheel: The mindset last spring and in preseason work was back to basics, and the Tigers have size — like QB Vince Bowling (6-2, 190), OG Tadarius Covington (6-2, 300), OT Udarius Strawster (6-5, 315) and FB Antwain Monford (5-10, 220) — and speed, including Quattarius Porter, a 4.4 40 sprinter and one of the few seniors on the roster.
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Cruise control: The returning starters with a year of experience in Teague’s pistol offense and his four-man defensive front should make Howard formidable.
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Backseat driver: An opposing coach said, “They were out of sync often last year, but they have a ton of young returning starters. I figure they’ll be strong — probably no blowout losses this year. They could surprise. Teague is rebuilding the program.”
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Rearview2014 game resultsAug. 22;Baylor;lost, 51-7Aug. 29;Stratford;lost, 51-0Sep. 12;Loudon;lost, 47-6Sep. 19;Hixson; lost, 47-0Sep. 26;Lancaster Christian;lost, 34-18Oct. 3;Brainerd;lost, 53-0Oct. 10;Tyner;lost, 58-19Oct. 17;Central;lost, 49-0Oct. 24;Red Bank;lost, 60-7Oct. 30;East Ridge;lost, 42-00-10, 0-6 in District 6-AA
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On the horizon2015 schedule (all games 7:30 unless noted)Aug. 21;at Donelson Christian AcademyAug. 28;David CrockettSep. 4;at Red BankSep. 11;at BaylorSep. 18;Notre Dame, 7Sep. 25;at Lancaster Christian, 8Oct. 2;at Chattanooga ChristianOct. 9;at LoudonOct. 16;East Ridge, 7Oct. 30;Signal Mountain, 7Region 3-3A games in bold
Billingsley did not dispute his coach's observations.
"Yeah, I had some discipline issues. Coach felt my character wasn't up to his standards," he said. "I walked out of practice one day. Coach asked why and I didn't answer. I had a big head. I didn't feel I needed practice."
A year away from a sport he loves obviously caused him to stop and reflect on those things that are important to him.
"I missed football, and I didn't enjoy missing last year. I learned a lot from it, and I have come back as a much better leader," Billingsley said. "I enjoy watching (football) and playing. I want to be a coach one day."
Teague has seen lots of changes in Billingsley.
"This youngster has made a 180-degree turn," the coach said. "He's a real smart kid, already fully qualified (academically). He never had a problem with his grades, and I think he always looked forward to coming to school. But now he's in (the student government association) and he's an aide for our assistant principal."
Capsule by Ward Gossett; contact at wgossett@timesfreepress.com or follow on Twitter: @wardgossett^