After having to cancel last year’s Brainerd-Howard football game altogether, the fierce rivals could not complete their first meeting since 2024 on a scorching hot Saturday afternoon at Reggie White Field.
With 9:24 to play in the fourth quarter and Howard leading 14-8 with the ball after a fumble recovery on a punt return by the visiting Panthers, the game was called by principals for both schools due to the heat-related concerns. Over the course of the contest, six fans in the crowd had passed out due to the heat, with two needing to be taken away by ambulance.
As the Hustlin’ Tigers celebrated their first victory in the series since 2019, there was still some remorse in the fact they could not play the game out fully against a Brainerd team that had shown some fight after trailing 14-0.
“The decision to call the game surprised all of the coaches and players,” Howard sixth-year head coach Dedric Maffett said. “I know there were concerns for the fans in the crowd, but on the field everything was pretty straight. I mean, we were rotating kids in every two to three plays. The weather was a bit severe, but as competitors we wanted to finish this game. We want to compete. But the final decision was out of our control.”
(READ MORE: Final scores and photos from Friday’s Chattanooga-area prep football games)
TSSAA game officials, along with both head coaches as well as each school’s athletic directors and athletic trainers, met for several minutes, but the final decision was ultimately made by Howard principal Charhonda Gardner on a phone call with Brainerd principal Crystal Sorrells at 2:56 p.m.
The temperature during game time was in the high 80s, while the heat index was nearly 95 degrees. The synthetic turf certainly made the field of play feel hotter, while fans sat in sun-drenched metal bleachers with the only shade provided by umbrellas they brought or tents they set up. At several points during the second half, the public address announcer encouraged fans to head to the concession stand, where water was being offered for anyone who was dehydrated.
Brainerd at Howard football on Aug. 28, 2026
In the aftermath, Brainerd players were heartbroken as they believed they still had a chance to rally — and recent history in the series suggests the potential was there. This was the fifth consecutive meeting in which the winner did not score more than 14 points.
“I mean, it’s hard,” Brainerd fourth-year head coach Sammy Seamster said. “I know our kids were good. But they were worried about the fans who were passing out.
“I was all for letting the kids keep playing. They were ready to keep going. I was confused on why they were calling the game. But it is out of our control. There was nothing I could do, and that makes me hurt for our kids who worked so hard all week to play in this game.”
After having lost five in a row in the series, including the last four by one score, Howard (1-1) delivered the game’s first three scores on a safety, a 4-yard touchdown run by senior Quantel Marsh, and a 78-yard interception return by junior Jaki Montgomery.
Gareece Goodwin had a pass breakup and an interception in a 46-second span for the Hustlin’ Tigers, who were also provided strong defense from fellow seniors Cameron Wilson and Elijah Choice, who helped lead the pass rush. It helped lead to Howard’s first win in the rivalry since a 34-6 victory in 2019, when the Hustlin’ Tigers went on to win seven games.
“Today’s final result meant a lot to us,” Montgomery said. “We have been working hard all week to come out here and get this rivalry win. Sometimes you have to play through difficult situations and that’s how you win the game. It was really nice to celebrate with my boys after. I know Brainerd was sour they lost this one because we hadn’t beat them in five years. So for us to come out here and win this game meant a lot.”
Brainerd (0-2) found paydirt after Howard’s errant snap on fourth down sailed to the Hustlin’ Tigers’ 2-yard line. After a penalty on first down, Panthers junior quarterback Tramell Mathis sped around the right end for a 7-yard touchdown. Mathis then ran for the 2-point conversion as he sprinted untouched to the left pylon for what turned out to be the game’s final score halfway through the third quarter.
Also standing out for Brainerd in the tough defeat were senior Kahlil Brooks, who had three tackles for loss and three rushes of 8 yards or more, along with sophomore Treshawn Orr (75 receiving yards) and junior linebacker Jaterrius Roseberry (eight tackles).
“I was proud of how my kids were making a comeback in the second half,” Seamster said. “We had built some momentum and had some guys starting to step up and make big plays. That is something we have to build off this week and prepare for our next game.”
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While both teams would have preferred to complete the full 48 minutes of regulation, both sides were pleased with how their players competed up until a decision was made that was out of their control.
“The kids competed at 100% with each other in this rivalry game,” Maffett said. “Everybody wants to win this game. The kids look forward to this game every year. We didn’t play it last year, so this was a game the kids were waiting on. It is disappointing we couldn’t go all the way until the end. But everybody fought until the time that it was called.”
Contact Patrick MacCoon at pmaccoon@timesfreepress.com.