Howe captures IPSAC title, wins VYPE GOTW

Click to view image

By Damani Dickerson

For VYPE Magazine

With their fifth win in a row Class 3A Indianapolis Howe (5-2, 4-0) captured the Indianapolis Public School Athletic Conference title for the first time since 1992, defeating 3A Indianapolis Northwest (1-6, 1-3) 48-12 at the VYPE Football Game of the Week.

Despite adverse field conditions and four lost fumbles on Friday night, the Hornets used an effective rushing attack led by VYPE Co-MVP sophomore running back Deondra Williamson and their opportunistic defense led by VYPE Co-MVP senior defensive back Terrance Johnson to control the game.

"We're a ground-and-pound team," Hornets first-year coach Anthony Henderson said after his team’s homecoming victory. "We knew the field would be sloppy, so we knew we'd have to run between the tackles. Normally we're going to run it outside, but we had to run it between the tackles tonight, and we were able to do that.”

Howe had over 300 yards rushing and averaged 6.3 yards per carry. Williamson finished the night with 16 carries for 130 yards and three touchdowns.  Sophomore running back Michael Hendon added 82 yards on 16 carries and junior running back Jaynard Keys finished with 57 yards on eight attempts and one touchdown.

“He’s coming along and getting better. He’s stepping up where he needs to,” Henderson said about Williamson. “He’s a Division-I kid with good grades and just needs to stay the course.”

Northwest struggled to move the ball against the Howe’s defense in the air or on the ground. As a team they mustered 37 rushing yards on 16 attempts and had 28 completions on 48 pass attempts for 180 yards. The Hornets defense picked off the Space Pioneers seven times on the night and returned three for touchdowns. 

“We run a high-risk offense and if it’s not hitting it’s a rough night,” fourth-year Northwest head coach Aaron Sauter said about his team’s offensive struggles. “We’re a passing team and we were playing in a slop pit tonight. Timing, execution its hurts everything. We weren’t able to adjust and get the run game going. We attempted to and they stopped the run. They did a heck of a job.”

With 8:25 left to play Howe senior defensive back Thurman Jones intercepted a pass by Northwest junior quarterback Delmario Lasley and returned it 20 yards for a score. Less than a minute later Terrance Johnson returned another one 42 yards.

A couple possessions later Senior Raymond Epps scored the final touchdown of the night for the Hornets with a 77-yard return off a pick with six minutes left in the game.

“Coach told us all week to be prepared for what they do. We watched film, we studied hard, we came out and executed the way we were supposed to,” said Jones, who was also crowned Homecoming king. “It felt good.” 

Penalties and unsportsmanlike infractions put a mild damper on the night. Howe committed 17 penalties for 165 yards, and Northwest was whistled seven times for 47 yards. One player from each team was ejected due to unsportsmanlike penalties.

Yet, despite the rugged play, Henderson was proud of his team, their work and their perseverance. 

"This is a tough group," Henderson said. "They don't even know they're tough, but they are. I like that."

Northwest High School         0  0 6  6  - 12 

T.C. Howe Community HS   14 6 6 22 - 48 

Game Summary

First Quarter

H -- Jaynard Keyes 50 run (Deondra Williamson kick)

H -- Williamson 9 run (pass failed)

Second Quarter

H -- Williamson 1 run (pass failed)

Third Quarter

NW -- Miles Livingston 7 pass from Delmario Lasley (pass failed)

Fourth Quarter

H -- Thurman Jones 20 interception return (Michael Hendon run)

H -- Terrance Johnson 42 interception return (pass failed)

NW -- Eric McClellan 10 run (run failed)

H -- Raymond Epps 77 interception return (Williamson run)

Photo by David Dixon

Indianapolis Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Eugune White, center, congratulates VYPE Football Game of the Week Co-MVPs Deondra Williamson, left, and Terrance Johnson of T.C. Howe.