By James Beach
Correspondent
At some point midway through the second period at Howard’s Gaston Stadium Friday night, more than a few predictions began to make their way through the homecoming crowd as the Hustlin’ Tigers racked up point after point in an impressive pinball fashion.
One prediction that no one could foresee, though, was a Howard team milking seconds off a fourth-quarter clock to stave off a gutsy and determined effort by the East Hamilton Hurricanes. In the end, a 35-0 lead proved too much for the ‘Canes to overcome as the 10th-ranked Tigers scored late to put away a 47-28 District 6-AA triumph.
“We’re not good enough to spot anyone 35 points, let alone a great team like Howard, but I was proud of the way we fought and the way we grew up some tonight,” said East Hamilton coach Ted Gatewood.
The Tigers (6-1) scored on their first five possessions and at one point had outgained the visitors 248 yards to 24 before the ‘Canes managed to catch their breath and put up a fight.
“I was really happy for about a quarter and a half,” Howard boss Alvin Tarver said. “But you have to give them credit. They really fought to the end.”
For most of the year, Tarver has relied on a stingy Tigers defense and been very patient as his new “Tiger-bone” offense matured. Last night, the offense joined the party in a big way.
Howard rolled up 427 rushing yards and needed almost every one of them before the evening was complete. In fact, were it not for a Michael Vick-like scramble and 73-yard run by Tigers QB Thomas McCauley near the third quarter’s end and a sealing 21-yard scamper from the signal-caller, the outcome might have been quite different.
“That’s the best we have played offensively, so, yeah, I’m happy with that. I know Thomas’ long run was huge,” Tarver added.
East Hamilton had just cut the lead to 35-14 when McCauley took off on a third-and-long. The score proved even more important after the Hurricanes (2-5) came right back with scores on their next two possessions to pull within 41-28.
McCauley wound up with seven rushes for 110 yards and had 30 more passing yards. Evander Rollins made the most of his eight carries to total 178 rushing yards along with two early TD runs. Eric McCullough added 61 more yards on seven runs.
East Hamilton had a big game from Logan Jackson, who totaled 154 rushing yards on 19 hard carries and added three catches out of the backfield for another 95 yards. East Hamilton quarterback Scott Paone had two short TD runs and Harrison Warren hauled in Paone’s TD pass of 38 yards.
Contact James Beach at sports@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6273.