Pioneers stop skid, win 26-6 over Howard

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