Staff photo by C.B. Schmelter / Baylor junior running back Elijah HowardElijah Howard might want to start saving his nickels and dimes now, just in case.
Baylor’s junior running back vowed to take his offensive line out to dinner if he wins a Tennessee Titans Mr. Football award, and he is one step closer to that accomplishment.
Howard was named a finalist for the award in Division II-AAA on Tuesday, when South Pittsburg running back/defensive back Ronto Tipton (Class 1A) and Meigs County quarterback Aaron Swafford (2A) also were named finalists in their classifications.
“Any time I ran for more than 200 yards this year, I took my linemen out to eat,” Howard said. “Not steaks or anything like that. I don’t have that kind of money yet, and I didn’t let them pick where we went because that would be like letting your girlfriend take your credit card. But I fed them, and that’s what we’ll do to celebrate if I win the award.
“It was a great feeling to see my name up there as a finalist, and it showed all the hard work I’ve put in was being recognized. Baylor put me on more of a platform because I was playing against great competition every week. In the league we play in you have to bring it every week, so it’s prepared me more for college.”