Chattanooga Times Free Press

Pioneers stop skid, win 26-6 over Howard

- BY JOHN MITCHELL CORRESPOND­ENT

Thanks to a handful of game-breaking offensive plays and a stingy defense, East Ridge returned to its early-season winning ways with a 26-6 win over Region 2-4A foe Howard on Friday.

The home win for the Pioneers (6-3, 2-3) snapped a three-game losing streak after they began the 2017 campaign 5-0. Even more importantl­y, it kept their playoff hopes alive for one more week.

“We were in a spot where this was a must-win game if we wanted to stay in the playoff hunt,” East Ridge coach Tim James said. “Coach (John) Starr had his team playing hard tonight, but I like how we rose to the moment and did what we needed to do.”

After a scoreless first quarter, East Ridge quarterbac­k Eric Bennett dropped back from 9 yards out in the second and found Tratyonne Moore, who battled over a Howard defender in the end zone.

The Hustlin’ Tigers (3-6, 1-4) answered back fast with a 55-yard connection from quarterbac­k Marquez Williams to Markel Finch, but a missed extra point kept the Pioneers in the lead.

Two plays from scrimmage later, East Ridge’s lead grew after a 57-yard screen pass from Bennett to Alonzo Russell. Running back Kentrell Harris added points to the board later in the second quarter with a 19-yard touchdown run.

A safety and a field goal for the Pioneers in the final frame eventually put the game on ice.

“We made too many mistakes at inappropri­ate times,” Starr said. “There were stretches where we’d execute well, but either we’d make a mistake or they’d hit us for a big play. … We were just never able to find a rhythm.”

Both teams will end their regular season next week. Howard will host East Hamilton, while the Pioneers look to clinch a postseason berth with a game at Hixson.

Contact John Mitchell at sports@timesfreep­ress.com

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