Run game, defense key to 21-12 Central win over Howard

The Howard Hustlin’ Tigers brought all the hype that comes along with homecoming festivities, but visiting Central stole the main attraction with their play on the field.

Even with alumni from many previous classes in support, Howard struggled to defend its home turf as the Purple Pounders battled to a 21-12 victory.

In a game in which points were hard to come by, Central won with its ground-and-pound rushing attack. Quarterback Jaheim Jones and the running back tandem of Michael McGhee and Donya Parker churned out more than 150 yards as the Pounders stayed undefeated in Region 2-4A play.

“We don’t take anyone lightly, because everyone on our schedule is a good football team,” Central coach Cortney Braswell said. “This is why we play on Fridays, because we never know who is going to win, so we have to do a great job preparing ourselves every Friday and play like we are playing in the state championship.

“You have to give them credit for forcing mistakes, and we have to get a lot better in a little amount of time.”

In what started out as a defensive slugfest, Central (4-2, 3-0) broke the plane midway through the second quarter on a 35-yard touchdown run by McGhee.

The scoring was contagious, though, at least for a short amount of time, as Howard’s Marquez Williams scored on the very next play — racing down the sideline for a 67-yard touchdown to even the score. The Hustlin’ Tigers (2-4, 0-2) continued that momentum into the ensuing kickoff, forcing a fumble to put themselves in position to go ahead.

The Pounders stood their ground near the goal line, though, and the next score was McGhee finding the end zone for the second time, capping a 13-play drive that gave them the lead for good.

Parker iced the game in the third quarter with his 15-yard touchdown run, and even with the score close the Purple Pounders shrugged off their sluggish start to pick up their fourth win of the season. McGhee finished with 86 yards, Parker with 82. “Our kids are really, really resilient and we are really proud of them for their effort,” Braswell said. “As a head football coach you are never pleased with how you play, and we had a bye week last week and it certainly looked like it.”

Howard had multiple opportunities to win the game, forcing three turnovers, but were unable to convert even with good field position at crucial times. Williams rushed for 90 yards and two touchdowns and added 89 yards through the air in the loss.