The scenario couldn't have been simpler for Howard and Signal Mountain on Friday night. The winner earned the fourth and final playoff spot in Region 3-3A; the loser's season would come to an end.
Ultimately, Howard's quick-strike offense powered by two senior backs proved to be the major difference in the Hustlin' Tigers' 35-16 playoff-clinching win over host Signal Mountain.
"It's a dream come true," Howard senior running back McKenzie Williams said about making the playoffs. "I came in ninth grade as a starter. So to go through everything we've been through and get to the playoffs this year has me feeling like I'm on top of the world."
The Eagles (2-8, 1-4) used 12 plays on the game's opening possession to score on a 5-yard pass from Tom Vatter to Travion Williams. The Tigers saw that score and raised the Eagles in efficiency on their initial drive. Howard moved 50 yards in just three plays, the last a 45-yard touchdown run by Williams, who finished with 237 yards and three scores on 23 carries.
The Tigers' first drive was so nice that they decided to do it twice. On their next possession, it was another senior, Jacques Yarbrough, who took the third play for a score from 26 yards out. In fact, all five of Howard's touchdowns came in four plays or fewer.
"We just wanted to establish that inside run, and that's what McKenzie was doing for us," Howard coach John Starr said. "He was doing so good that we had to keep giving it to him, but when we went to Yarbrough there was no drop-off in the production."
Howard's big plays continually created holes that were too deep for the run-based Eagles offense to climb out of.
"Our objective is to try and control the clock and maintain possession. So for us the first quarter was really good," Signal Mountain coach Ty Wise said. "It was that third quarter where their big plays starting hitting, and that forces us to do different things that we just weren't able to execute.
"I love that this group is the type that never quit," Wise added. "Tonight showed that. We have a lot of youth and some seniors we're really going to miss. It's just unfortunate that we weren't able to end on a strong note and get in the playoffs."
Playing an ineligible player earlier in the season forced the Hustlin' Tigers (5-5, 2-2) to forfeit a win and put them in the winner-take-all position they were in Friday night at Signal Mountain. But the pride in their first playoff appearance and first .500 record since 2010 is too strong to let that be a hindrance.
"We're taking it head on. We want that trophy," Williams said when asked about their mentality heading into the playoffs. "Now it's a one-game season every week, and we're ready."
Contact John Mitchell at sports@timesfreepress.com