The Eagles could get used to the feeling.
Signal Mountain earned its first victory of the 2015 high school football season with a 28-13 win at Howard in the final game for both teams.
"It's a completely different feeling," Signal Mountain quarterback Drew Lowry said. "We all really came together."
A smash-mouth style of offense provided the Eagles with early and consistent momentum, while their defense kept the Hustlin' Tigers (2-8) at bay for most of the night.
"They lined up and imposed their will," Howard coach Mark Teague said. "We're both old-school coaches. It's beautiful football."
Signal Mountain sophomore Collin Farr scored two rushing touchdowns and intercepted a pass. He had only four carries, but two ended in the end zone.
"I'm glad we got through all of the tough times and made the summer workouts worth it," Farr said. "Our defense really stepped up in the last two games. Thankfully us safeties didn't have to make too many tackles tonight."
Signal Mountain's front seven defensive players limited Howard's ability to rush up the middle or find space on the edges. The Tigers averaged 2.1 yards per rushing attempt and gained a total of 85 yards on the ground. Junior Vincent Bowling had 84 yards rushing.
"Our defense played lights out tonight," Signal Mountain coach Ty Wise said. "This is something to build on. We have a young team that had success tonight, and that's what we've been in search of all season.
"To end on a positive note is a really good thing for our program."
The Eagles (1-9) rushed 42 times for 220 yards and racked up another 101 yards through the air. Farr, Collin Weigert, Nathan Johnson, Charlie Gautier and Lowry each rushed for at least 20 yards at Red Gaston Field.
"We got in our power running offense and we tried to go at them," Wise said. "Our line blocked really well, and the backs did a good job of seeing the holes."
The Eagles marched the opening kickoff down the field and ended with Lowry passing to Johnson for an 11-yard touchdown less than two minutes into the game.
The Eagles maintained momentum by blocking a punt, but Lowry fumbled two snaps later. The Eagles found the end zone again when Farr scored from 2 yards out. The Eagles took a 21-0 lead when Farr scored again from 5 yards.
The Tigers dented the scoreboard when Bowling took over quarterback duties. He ran on five consecutive plays before lofting a deep pass that Jahmani Thomas hauled in for a 42-yard touchdown.
That one play accounted for more than half of Howard's offense in the first half. Signal Mountain limited the Tigers to 71 yards of offense before senior night ceremonies at halftime.
Howard pulled within 21-13 on a 10-yard touchdown run by Marquez Williams, who started at quarterback. Weigert ensured the Eagles' victory with a 1-yard plunge in the final minute.
Contact David Uchiyama at duchiyama@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6484. Follow him at twitter.com/UchiyamaCTFP