by Nate Drexler
posted October 10, 2008
) Photo by Greg Davick Howard quarterback Michael Bryant under center. |
Fortunately, Tyner coach Wayne Turner got just what he needed, an interception, leading to a door closing touchdown from Michael Poarch on the other end. Poarch's touchdown was the only Rams score of the second half, and the Rams went on to defeat Howard 28-19 in Friday nights offensive battle.
"That was a big come up," said Tyner running back Chris Williams, who rushed for 100 yards and a touchdown in the game. "It got us up on the bench and we were ready to come out and finish it up."
It was Tyner's ground attack butting heads against Howard's air strike, and in the end, the pass was what came back to bite the Hustlin Tigers.
"It was a great game," said Wayne Turner. "You have to give our kids a lot of credit for the way they played here. I know it meant a lot to them. There's a lot of bragging rights between these teams."
Howard got off to an early lead in the game behind a 40 yard pass from Michael Bryant to Jahron Reynolds followed by a short running touchdown by Eric McCullough.
"We have the capability of the quick score," said Howard coach Alvin Tarver. "We try to go short so we can open up that deep game."
Tyner responded quickly and effectively, though, and a few plays later Chris Williams found a hole on the outside leading to a 62 yard touchdown.
"Coach told me to hit the strong side, and once I saw that hole I just showed my speed," said Williams. "I think we might have given too much in the first half, and found ourselves having to come up big in the second half."
"Giving too much in the first half" might have been a reference to the three touchdowns in three consecutive possessions for the Rams in the opening 24 minutes.
Quarterback Brandon Scott connected on a screen pass resulting in a 48 yard touchdown from the wide receiver, and leading rusher Michael Poarch scored his first of two touchdowns on a 17 yard rush straight through the Howard defense.
"We came out to run the ball hard," said Poarch. "But they did it to us last year and we knew we had to come out, play hard, and get the win."
Poarch finished the game with two touchdowns on over 100 yards rushing.
"We played like a real football team," said coach Turner. "I was pleased with the way the backs ran, and we kept our composure after they scored some points on us in the 2nd half."
Howard's air attack was menacing in Friday night's game. Michael Bryant had over 250 yards in the game, mostly distributed to his speedy receivers Justin Hazelray and Jahron Reynolds, who both caught game changing deep balls in the game.
Reynolds caught two touchdown passes in the second half during a streak where Byrant had completed 9 out of 10 passes.
"I'm proud of our kids," said Tarver. "They fought hard against a great team. We go back to the drawing board this week and get ready for next week."
Tyner plays at home against McCallie next week. Howard will play Meigs County.
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