Christmas came three months early Friday night for Howard football coach Michael Calloway and his Hustlin' Tiger players.

Howard came to Etter-Farmer Field and posted a come-from-behind 20-14 win against host Chattanooga Central to spoil the Purple Pounders Homecoming.

Junior quarterback Terrance Brooks threw for more than 200 yards for the second straight week and Kentarius Hampton had a touchdown run and a late fourth quarter interception for the Tigers (1-3, 1-1) in a District 6-AA contest.

Central (0-4, 0-2) was led by quarterback Dominque Dawson who threw a 70-yard scoring pass to Taquan Johnson and Michael Ray who rushed for 60 yards, including a 16-yard scoring run in the fifrst quarter.

"This was a sweet win for the players as we got the monkey off our backs," said coach Calloway who gained his first head coaching win in two years at Howard.

The win snapped a 13-game losing streak for the Tigers as the last victory was against East Ridge in 2010.

"You did a very good job tonight and you need to take this victory in stride," said Howard assistant coach Jerry Caperton. "It's over with and now we have lots of work to do for next week."

But tonight the players celebrated as the win belonged in large part to a defense that had a fumble recovery, interception and blocked field goal attempt in the second half to keep Central off the scoreboard after leading 14-6 at intermission.

Hampton's 1-yard run followed by Brooks run for a 2-point conversion tied the game at 14-14 in the third.

Hampton's score was set up by a long punt return by Chris Walton which gave Howard a short field starting at the Central 28 at 7:16 of the third. Seven plays later Hampton was in the end zone.

Rashad Brummitt's game-winning, 8-yard scoring run came at 11:06 of the fourth and the Tiger defense held the Pounders out of the end zone the rest of the way.

Central opened the scoring as Ray's 16-yard run to the end zone capped an 80-yard, 8-play drive on the Purple Pounders first possession of the game. Tareq Faleh kicked the first of two extra points for a 7-0 lead.

Afrter Brooks scored on a 3-yard run to pull Howard within one at 7-6 in the second quarter, Dawson and Johnson connected for a 70-yard pitch and catch Central scoring play late in the second quarter for the 14-6 advantage.

Cold Shower: Howard players dumped two buckets of water on coach Calloway in the final seconds of the game.

Homecoming Queen: Senior AP Honors student Callie Ray was crowned Homecoming Queen at halftime ... the senior cheerleader holds an A average and plans to attend UTC next fall.

The River City Corvette Club provided the cars for the Homecoming candidates.

Road Warriors: Howard has played the first four games on the road ... the Tigers host Greater Atlanta Christian next Friday (Sept. 21) in their first home game and will honor the players from the 1962 state championship team.

 Howard 20, Chattanooga Central 14

CC - Michael Ray 16 run (Tareq Faleh kick), 7-0 ... 1st Q

Howard - Terrance Brooks 3 run (pass failed), 7-6 ... 2nd Q

CC - Taquan Johnson 70 pass from Dominique Dawson (Faleh kick), 14-6 ... 2nd Q

Howard - Kentarius Hampton 1 run (Brooks run), 14-14 ... 3rd Q

Howard - Rashad Brummitt 5 run (pass failed), 20-14 ... 4th Q

Howard (1-3, 1-1), Chattanooga Central (0-4, 0-2)

Game Stats

First Downs: Howard, 11-9

Rushing Yards: Howard (31 for 61 yds)  Central (35 for 134 yds)

Passing Yards: Howard (12-25-0, 221 yds)  Central (3-8-1, 99 yds)

Total Offense: Howard, 282-233

Punting: Howard (3-98, 32.7 avg.)  Central (3-103, 34.3 avg.)

Penalties: Howard (8-85), Central (7-60)

Top Rushers: Howard - Terrance Brooks (11-33), LaWayne Ruffin (12-13), Rashad Brummitt (6-13, 1 TD), Kentarius Hampton (2-2, 1 TD)

Central (Michael Ray (11-60, 1 TD), Taquan Johnson (11-18)

Passing: Howard - Terrance Brooks (12-25-0, 221 yds) 

Central (Dominique Dawson (3-8-1, 99 yds, 1 TD)

Receiving: Howard - Rashad Brummitt (7-95), Jeremy Davis (2-64)

Central - Taquan Johnson (1-70, 1 TD), Jaylan Hobbs (1-13), Brian Billingsly (1-16)

Fumbles Lost: Central (1)

Interceptions By: Howard (1 - Kentarius Hampton)

contact B.B. Branton at william.branton@comcast.net