Howland looking to bounce back behind experienced line
HOWLAND, Ohio (WKBN) — The Howland football team is pushing forward with 15 returning letter winners this season.
“There’s a lot of reps coming back, and we like that,” said Howland head coach Brian Jones. “As juniors, they have ten games under their belt. So there’s a lot of football that’s been played, but predominantly as a roster, we’re still pretty young.”
This is year two at the helm for head coach Brian Jones, who says his team to bounce back after a winless 2023 season. He said it starts with an expanded playbook.
“Everybody’s got worth, whether you’re in the two deep, whether you’re a scout team player or whether on special teams. Everybody’s got worth,” Jones said. “Know your role, stay in your role, and be a star in your role.”
Howland is looking to that next step with four starters returning on the line.
“I have a lot of dogs on my team,” said Howland senior Carson Wolanzyk. “We got JD [Jason Davis] back there. These guys all have been working hard and trying their hardest.”
“We know how each other operates, knowing how we like to play with each other and things of that nature,” said Howland senior Jason Davis. “I feel like the chemistry we’ll be able to do without having to communicate as much.”
Senior linemen Carson Wolanzyk and Jason Davis said the team runs through them this season, with multiple running backs getting significant carries.
“It’s always fun pushing people around,” Wolanzyk said. “A lot of things can happen down there, but it’s always fun.”
“During the offseason they’ve been working super hard, keeping their heads down, just grinding,” Davis said. “I saw that a lot, so I feel like we’re going to be something big this year.”
The Tigers will switch to a 4-3 defense this season, but even with the changes, the team says its chemistry has improved.
“They do everything together,” Jones said. “And we talk about that a lot. Just everything we do, we got to do it together. And that’s how we’re going to get to the next step.”
“Our team is special because we have a lot more energy this year,” Wolanzyk said. “We have a lot to prove to ourselves because we are not the same team as we were last year. And we need to show that.”
The Tigers kick off the season Thursday at home against Niles.
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