Category: Bulldogs Sports

Howe’s overall record is 388-361-24.  Season 76, Game 773

Heartbreak in Commerce

Howe’s 20-14 loss a week ago at Commerce devastated the Bulldogs as they never trailed in the game until the final three minutes. Howe had a chance to clinch a playoff spot and now need to beat Van Alstyne and need help from Bonham to defeat Commerce.

The Offense

Howe has accumulated 3,019 total yards this season (335.4 per game including 1,431 rushing and 1,588 passing). The total is the most since 2016 when Howe totaled 5,009 yards (385.3 per game of which 364.8 were rushing yards). This year’s Bulldogs are balanced with 159 rushing yards per game and 176.4 passing yards per game.

Howe’s 176.4 passing yards per game ranks second in Howe history behind the 1989 “run-n-shoot” team led by quarterback Jay Skipworth that put up 179.38 yards per game. Howe’s 2010 team led by quarterback Chase Fountain averaged 176.09 per game.

In total yards, Howe ranks fifth in school history with their 335.44 per game. The top four are 2016 with 385.31, 2015 with 377.92, 1989 with 343.4, and 1998 with 337.4. All of those top four teams won multiple gold footballs.

Howe’s offense ranks really high in yards, but not as high in points as the Bulldogs are clocking in at 25.89 per game which ranks 14th all-time. The 2015 Bulldogs recorded 34.17 points per game to sit at the top spot. Of all the 13 offense ranked ahead of Howe in points per game, only the 1987 and 1960 teams did not qualify for the playoffs.

The Defense

Unfortunately for Howe, the defense is not putting up the same type of numbers the offense is. Howe’s 342.11 yards per game allowed is the second-most in school history only to the 2008 Bulldogs that gave up 365.1 per game. It’s the run defense that has done them in as they are allowing 262.78 per game which is the most any Howe team has allowed. The next closest was the 2005 team that allowed 247.90.

In points allowed, Howe is giving up an average of 28.0 per game which is the ninth-worst. Howe gave up 38.10 in the 2012 season to rank first in the dubious category.

BUT, Howe has forced 27 turnovers consisting of 14 interceptions and 13 fumble recoveries. This has allowed for Howe to improve in the average points-allowed category to 28.0 per game this season.

Putting it all together

Howe is a (-60) yards in the Yards For and Yards Against column which puts them in the middle of the pack with Howe Bulldogs teams. It’s a tremendous improvement from a year ago when Howe was (-1,205) which ranked Howe statistically as the third-worst overall team in that category only behind Woody Martin’s 2004 and 2005 teams.

By the Yards for and Yards Against column, Howe’s best team in school history was 2015 with a difference of plus 2,246. Next was 1970 with 1,828. Third is 2014 with 1,826, while fourth is 1991 with 1,721 and ranking fifth is 2016 with 1,670.

Silver Spike Series History

Van Alstyne holds the overalls series record at 37-17-2 and has outscored Howe 1320-727 since the first official UIL game in 1941. Howe hasn’t beaten Van Alstyne since 2000 which was the year before the Silver Spike trophy was created. It’s also about the time the enrollment similarities began to separate. Van Alstyne reached to 300 enrollment mark in 1998 and exploded to 400 by 2002 and are now at 517 whereas Howe didn’t reach the 300 number at the same time and have been barely above and sometimes below the 300 mark since. Currently, Howe has an enrollment mark of 356.

Since the jump in enrollment numbers, Howe has lost 12-straight. Two of the Bulldogs’ best teams of all-time statistically-speaking in 2014 and 2015 did not have Van Alstyne on the schedule for those two years.

10/24/1941	7	at Van Alstyne	31
11/5/1942	6	at Van Alstyne	7
9/29/1944	0	at Van Alstyne	25
9/21/1945	13	Van Alstyne	0
11/2/1946	26	at Van Alstyne	0
10/31/1947	0	at Van Alstyne	7
10/21/1948	0	at Van Alstyne	48
9/8/1961	0	at Van Alstyne	14
9/7/1962	12	Van Alstyne	30
9/6/1963	0	at Van Alstyne	36
10/9/1964	2	Van Alstyne	40
10/8/1965	6	at Van Alstyne	45
10/2/1970	33	Van Alstyne	20
10/1/1971	8	at Van Alstyne	7
10/20/1972	12	Van Alstyne	40
10/19/1973	0	at Van Alstyne	19
10/18/1974	0	at Van Alstyne	0
10/17/1975	6	Van Alstyne	22
10/22/1976	2	Van Alstyne	26
10/21/1977	22	at Van Alstyne	21
10/13/1978	28	Van Alstyne	12
10/12/1979	40	at Van Alstyne	0
10/31/1980	23	at Van Alstyne	7
10/30/1981	12	Van Alstyne	20
10/29/1982	21	at Van Alstyne	21
10/28/1983	21	Van Alstyne	27
11/9/1984	6	Van Alstyne	15
11/8/1985	35	at Van Alstyne	0
9/12/1986	19	Van Alstyne	22
9/11/1987	21	at Van Alstyne	6
10/28/1988	19	Van Alstyne	6
11/3/1989	35	at Van Alstyne	13
9/14/1990	6	at Van Alstyne	12
9/13/1991	3	Van Alstyne	13
11/15/1991	8	Van Alstyne – Bi-District	30
9/4/1992	20	Van Alstyne	71
9/3/1993	0	at Van Alstyne	23
11/4/1994	19	at Van Alstyne	13
11/10/1995	7	Van Alstyne	6
10/11/1996	0	at Van Alstyne	35
10/10/1997	14	Van Alstyne	26
10/9/1998	41	Van Alstyne	13
10/14/1999	27	at Van Alstyne	17
10/20/2000	14	at Van Alstyne	10
10/19/2001	0	Van Alstyne	33
9/13/2002	7	at Van Alstyne	28
9/12/2003	7	Van Alstyne	32
9/10/2004	2	at Van Alstyne	42
9/9/2005	20	Van Alstyne	21
9/12/2008	6	at Van Alstyne	48
9/11/2009	6	Van Alstyne	35
11/2/2012	15	at Van Alstyne	42
11/1/2013	7	Van Alstyne	31
10/14/2016	36	at Van Alstyne	39
10/20/2017	27	Van Alstyne	53
11/2/2018	0	at Van Alstyne	60
11/1/2019		Van Alstyne
	727	0	1320

Battle of the Silver Spike Records

Most points scored by Howe	41	10/9/1998
Most points scored by Van Alstyne	71	9/4/1992
Most combined points in a game	91	9/4/1992
Howe Wins	17
Van Alstyne Wins	37
Total Ties	2
Total shutouts by Howe	5
Total shutouts by Van Alstyne	11
Last shutout by Howe		11/8/1985
Last shutout by Van Alstyne		11/2/2018
Most overall points scored by Howe	727
Most overall points scored by Van Alstyne	1320
Most wins by a Howe head coach	4	Jim Fryar
Most losses by a head coach	6	Norman Dickey
Consecutive wins by Howe	4	1977-1980
Consecutive wins by Van Alstyne	12	1947-1965/; 2001-
Howe’s record at Bulldog Stadium	6-18
Howe’s record at Panther Stadium	11-19-2
Howe’s record at a Neutral site	0-1	Plano, TX, 1991

Howe is 5-6 vs. Van Alstyne in November and have been outscored by the Panthers, 164-207 in November matchups.  Howe is 1-3 in November games played in Howe.

Series largest margin of victory for Howe = 40 in 1979 at Van Alstyne
Series largest margin of victory for Van Alstyne = 60 last year at Van Alstyne.

Most rushing yards by Howe vs. Van Alstyne (missing 1979 game):
406, 2016
360, 1985
359, 1986
324, 1989
303, 1998

Most rushing yards by Van Alstyne vs. Howe:
396, 2008
370, 1984
326, 2005
323, 1961
323, 1965

1989 Full Game of the 32nd Silver Spike at Van Alstyne

1990 Full Game of the 33rd Silver SPike at Van Alsytne

1991 Full Game of 34th Silver Spike at Bulldog Stadium in Howe

1998 Full Game of 42nd Silver Spike at Bulldog Stadium

The Silver Spike trophy was the brainchild back in 2001 by sports writer Jeff Wood of the Van Alstyne Leader and Howe graduate Monte Walker. The winner of the Howe and Van Alstyne football rivalry receives a silver railroad spike, mounted on a three-foot trophy to keep in their trophy case for an entire year. Howe has yet to have it since its creation. The tall and heavy trophy features the silver spike which symbolizes the growth that the Houston and Texas Central railway brought to both towns in the early years of their existence. Not soon after the towns were formed, they started playing football against each other. But those early years prior to 1920 formation of the UIL do not formally count and Howe didn’t even field a UIL sanctioned team until 1935.

Howe first played Van Alstyne on October 24, 1941 which the Panthers won, 31-7. The Spike was created before the 2001 season and that was the year Van Alstyne started the current 11-game winning streak over Howe. It also happened to be the same time that Van Alstyne outgrew Howe in enrollment numbers due to the Georgetown edition in their community. Before the current winning streak, Van Alstyne led the series, 25-17-2 but now have double the amount of Howe’s wins thanks to the recent stretch. Howe’s longest winning streak versus the Panthers was four games from 1977-1980. When the trophy was originated in 2001, then Van Alstyne Head Coach Randy Matthews told the Van Alstyne Leader, “Because of the closeness of the two towns and what this rivalry means to so many people, I hope everybody will be up for this game and prepared to play. When you have a game like this with so much emotion, there’s always big plays involved.”

The Spike was is akin to Sherman and Denison’s Battle of the Axe which Walker was a radio broadcaster for those games from 1994- 2003 and television broadcaster in 2008. “The community involvement and the electricity that comes with that Sherman Denison Battle of the Axe is so impressive and Howe and Van Alstyne had the same rivalry, but on a smaller scale. We were able to work with those in Van Alstyne back in 2001 to share cost of the trophy and make this something special. However, it won’t be truly special until it comes to Howe’s trophy case.” said Walker.

On This Day in Bulldogs History (5-5)

1935, beat Gunter at Bulldog Stadium, 31-6

1940, beat Pilot Point at Bulldog Stadium, 34-0

1963, lost at Royse City, 19-0

1968, won at Celeste, 20-8

1974, lost at home to Frisco, 15-13

1985, beat Whitewright, 70-0

1991, beat Tom Bean, 22-0

1996, lost at Celina, 34-0

2002, lost to Anna, 7-0, at Bulldog Stadium

2013, lost at home to Van Alstyne, 31-7

Game number 773 for the Howe Bulldogs.  Howe has a record of 388-360-24 since the first game on Sept. 20, 1935.

For a Playoff Spot

Howe (3-5; 2-2) and Commerce (2-5; 1-2) both are fighting for a playoff spot tonight to keep pace behind Pottsboro (undefeated in district), Van Alstyne (one loss to Pottsboro), and Rains (one loss to Van Alstyne and playing Pottsboro tonight). Lone Oak and Bonham have yet to win a district game. Those two will face each other tonight.

In district play, Howe and Commerce have each played Pottsboro and Lone Oak. Commerce lost to Pottsboro, 63-14 whereas Howe lost, 42-3. Commerce beat Lone Oak 40-12, whereas Howe won 42-6. This gives Howe a +18 point advantage in games with common opponents. However, both games were virtually uncontested past the second half of all four games.

In district play, Howe is averaging 34.75 points per game while allowing 32.75 (plus two points). Commerce is averaging 30 points per game while allowing 40.33 (minus 10 points). Commerce has yet to play Bonham and Rains. Howe has yet to play Van Alstyne.

School Name	*W-L	*Pct.	*PF	*PA	W-L	Pct.	PF	PA	Strk
Pottsboro	4-0	1.000	214	50	8-0	1.000	380	112	8 W
Van Alstyne	3-1	0.750	138	105	4-4	0.500	212	242	2 W
Rains	2-1	0.667	142	57	4-3	0.571	219	211	2 W
Howe	2-2	0.500	139	131	3-5	0.375	219	233	1 W
Commerce	1-2	0.333	90	121	2-5	0.286	189	248	1 L
Lone Oak	0-3	0.000	18	118	1-6	0.143	110	288	5 L
Bonham	0-3	0.000	34	193	1-6	0.143	140	384	4 L

Commerce 2019

The Tigers are led by quarterback J’Den Wilson and his 960passing yards, 13 touchdowns and 196 rushing yards. Last year’s quarterback versus Howe was Brad Caldwell and he now plays receiver where he’s caught 14 passes for 222 yards and four touchdowns. Receiver Conner Smith is also a weapon with his 14 catches for 300 yards and three touchdowns.

But it’s on the ground where Commerce does their damage with running back Xzay (Zay) Basham who averages 7.89 yards per carry on 56 attempts. He splits time with Dayton Dunbar who averages 7.24 yards per carry on his 54 attempts.

Howe is 1-2 overall versus Commerce.  The first game was played seven years ago tomorrow as Commerce beat Howe, 46-0 at Bulldog Stadium.  The following year, six years ago today, Howe won in Commerce, 26-6. Last season, Howe lost 40-14 at home.

Howe vs. Commerce History

Commerce has outscored Howe, 92-40 overall.

Howe stats

The Bulldogs have rushed for 1,333 yards through 8 games in 2019.  Last week against Lone Oak, Howe rushed for a season-high 220 yards.  While the rushing game has averaged 159.5 yards per game, the passing attack has been even better at 182.8 yards per game.  Howe averaged 212.9 yards per game a year ago and are currently averaging 351.38. Howe is averaging 27.35 points per game, whereas a year ago averaged 15.8.

Howe’s defense is allowing nearly the same as a year ago in yardage with 334.38 allowed in 2019 compared to 333.4 in 2018. While the yardage is nearly the same, the points allowed have improved from 32.3 per game to 29.0.

Individual stats

Passing

Austin Haley, 70-124-6-1,249, 12 TD

Rushing

Jalen Thornton, 105-816, 7TD

Brandon Williams, 54-258, 4TD

Receiving

Jalen Thornton, 31-336, 2 TD

Kolby Windon, 11-358, 3TD

Caiden Harmon, 14-292, 3TD

Jordan Jones, 10-222, 3TD

On This Day in Bulldogs History (8-2)

1935, beat Dorchester, 12-0 in the third-ever game at Bulldog Stadium

1940, won at Gunter, 54-7

1946, beat Sherman B, 20-7 at Bulldog Stadium

1963, lost to Leonard, 28-0

1974, lost at Sanger, 28-14

1985, beat Pottsboro, 28-6 in the “Double-Crack Game”

1991, won at Callisburg, 50-0

1996, won at Aubrey, 14-6

2002, beat Anna, 20-12

2013, won at Commerce, 26-6

Game number 772 for the Howe Bulldogs.  Howe has a record of 387-360-24 since the first game on Sept. 20, 1935.

Lone Oak

Lone Oak (1-5; 0-2) is coming off a 36-0 loss to Van Alstyne last Friday night. After the game, their first-year Head Coach Vince Taylor was re-assigned and former Howe Bulldogs Head Coach Larry McFarlin was elevated to head coach. McFarlin was 6-14 in his two seasons in Howe in 2001 and 2002. He also was the head coach at Bonham from 2004-2006 where he went 16-17.

Howe

Howe (2-5; 1-2) is coming off a 42-3 loss to Pottsboro who is ranked fourth in Texas. The Bulldogs look to get back on track offensively where they’ve racked up yardage nearly evenly on the ground and through the air. Howe is led by Jalen Thorton who has 1,030 yards (711 rushing and 319 receiving) and seven touchdowns.

Freshman quarterback Austin Haley brings his 1,084 yards and 10 touchdown passes to Bulldog Stadium tonight where his completion percentage is 55.6 percent and ranks first in school history among all passers with more than five attempts.

Howe has rushed for 1,113 yards (159 per game) and passed for 1,277 yards (182.43 per game). The total of 2,390 is good for 341.43 yards per game which is up from 212.90 in 2018.

District Standings

School Name	*W-L	*Pct.	*PF	*PA	W-L	Pct.	PF	PA	Strk
Pottsboro	3-0	1.000	153	44	7-0	1.000	319	106	7 W
Van Alstyne	2-1	0.667	92	69	3-4	0.429	166	206	1 W
Rains	2-1	0.667	142	57	4-3	0.571	219	211	2 W
Commerce	1-1	0.500	54	75	2-4	0.333	153	202	1 W
Howe	1-2	0.333	97	125	2-5	0.286	177	227	2 L
Lone Oak	0-2	0.000	12	76	1-5	0.167	104	246	4 L
Bonham	0-2	0.000	28	132	1-5	0.167	134	323	3 L

Howe vs. Lone Oak History

Lone Oak leads the series, 4-2 having won the last two meetings with the two schools including a year ago 20-12 in Lone Oak and back on Sept. 9, 1999 in Lone Oak by a score of 35-7 at Buffalo Stadium.  Howe’s first win in the series was a big one as Howe defeated the Buffaloes 21-12 on Nov. 27, 1970 for the bi-district championship at McKinney’s Ron Poe Stadium.  Howe’s other win against Lone Oak came at Bulldog Stadium on Sept. 4, 1998 with a 41-7 score.

1970 Howe vs. Lone Oak game film

1998 Howe vs. Lone Oak game film

This Day in Bulldogs History, 6-3-1

1940, won at Anna, 25-0

1946, won at Gunter, 20-0

1963, lost at Celeste, 46-0

1968, beat S&S, 44-6

1974, tied at Van Alstyne, 0-0

1985, won at Tom Bean, 35-0

1991, won at Whitewright, 32-0

1996, beat Gunter, 21-7

2002, lost at Whitewright, 8-3

2013, lost to Caddo Mills, 12-7

The live broadcast will be played in the box below.  Radio feed will be available inside the stadium on 104.1 FM.

Game number 771 for the Howe Bulldogs.  Howe has a record of 387-359-24 since the first game on Sept. 20, 1935.

POTTSBORO

Pottsboro has been outstanding this season by starting 6-0 and 2-0 in district play. The Cardinals have scored 277 points (46.2 points per game) and allowed 103 (17 points per game). In each game, the Cardinals have been able to set the game on cruise control about 17 minutes in each contest as they average 16 points per game in the first quarter while only allowing 2.33 in the first. The second quarter is as impressive by scoring 17 and allowing only 3.5. This equates to an average lead at the half for Pottsboro of 33-6. Pottsboro relaxes in the second half where they only outscore their opponents 14-11.

The Cardinals are led by a powerful offensive line of three seniors and two juniors. Adrian Delacruz, Hunter Fulton, Daniel Graham, Landon Simpson, and Riley Deaton set everything up for quarterback Braden Plyler (73-105-4-1129, 15 TD; 79 carries for 463 yards). Plyler has thrown for at least three touchdowns in every game so far this season with the exception of Gunter where he threw two. Their air game is enough to allow the run game to flourish with Cy Shope (97 carries for 780 yards, 14 TD) who has rushed for over 100 yards in each of the last three games and averaged over 10 yards per carry during that span.

Pottsboro has four players starting on both offense and defense: Riley Deaton (OL/DL), Hunter Fulton (OL/DL), Jasek Hooker (WR/S), and Cy Shope (RB/S).

The Cardinals are led by Head Coach Matt Poe who is in his 16th year in Pottsboro accumulating a record of 121-40 there with six district championships. He’s 11-1 vs. Howe with the only loss coming in 2010 at Bulldog Stadium where Howe won, 20-13.

HOWE

Howe’s offense is much more explosive than in 2018 and able to score points much quicker than in the past. The Bulldogs have scored 174 points (29 points per game) and allowed 185 (31 points per game). The Dogs’ scoring output is much more spread out through the game as they average an 8-6 advantage after the first quarter. However, the second quarter has been the Achilles heel for Howe, where they’ve allowed 63 points (11-point average) while only scoring 28 (average of 5). The average first-half score for Howe is a deficit of three points (16-13). The Bulldogs have been a second-half team, however, in 2019 and have outscored their opponents in each of the third and fourth quarters with the fourth being their best scoring of all. Howe’s 98-80 scoring advantage in the second half gives them an average second half advantage of 16-13.

Howe is led by running back Jalen Thorton who has 82 carries for 700 yards rushing (8.5 per carry) and 20 receptions for 216 yards (10.8 yards per catch). Thornton, who averages 8.98 yards per touch, also returns punts and kickoffs. Thornton’s cousin Brandon Williams has rushed for 205 yards on 43 carries in the last four games.

It is through the air where Howe has turned from caterpillar to butterfly. Freshman quarterback Austin Haley has thrown for 879 yards in only four starts and averages 18.3 yards per completion. His favorite targets, outside of Thornton, have been Jordan Jones, Steven Waldrip, and Arturo Lowder, each with 10 catches. His big-play target is Kolby Windon who has three touchdowns. Caiden Harmon, when healthy, has been a big part of the offense both in the rushing and receiving game.

Howe’s defense is led by J.C. Helpenstell with his 80 tackles. The biggest surprise of the year has been the play of Hunter Brussow who is playing football for the first time since junior high. Brussow has two interceptions that both were returned for touchdowns. Layton Elvington leads Howe with five interceptions. Howe is averaging over two takeaways per game in 2019).

DISTRICT 5-3A-1 STANDINGS

School Name	*W-L	*Pct.	*PF	*PA	W-L	Pct.	PF	PA	Strk
Pottsboro	2-0	1.000	111	41	6-0	1.000	277	103	6 W
Rains	1-1	0.500	76	57	3-3	0.500	153	211	1 W
Van Alstyne	1-1	0.500	56	69	2-4	0.333	130	206	1 L
Commerce	1-1	0.500	54	75	2-4	0.333	153	202	1 W
Howe	1-1	0.500	94	83	2-4	0.333	174	185	1 L
Lone Oak	0-1	0.000	12	40	1-4	0.200	104	210	3 L
Bonham	0-1	0.000	28	66	1-4	0.200	134	257	2 L

HOWE VS. POTTSBORO HISTORY

Pottsboro leads the series, 20-10-1.  Before Matt Poe arrived as Pottsboro’s head coach in 2006, the series was 9-10-1.  Howe had scored 294 and Pottsboro 293.  Since Poe, the Cardinals have won 10 of 11 and have outscored Howe, 408-99.

Howe is 4-10-1 at Pottsboro going back to the first-ever matchup on Nov. 3, 1972.  Howe’s last victory at Pottsboro came 31 years ago on Oct. 14, 1988, in a 21-14 game. Since then, Howe has lost 7-straight at Jim Henderson Stadium. The Cardinals have outscored Howe in Pottsboro, 381-194.  The ‘Dogs have not scored over 20 points on the Cardinals since 2006. Last year, Pottsboro won 27-0 at Bulldog Stadium.

11/3/1972	21	Pottsboro	0	1	0	0
11/2/1973	44	at Pottsboro	22	1	0	0
11/15/1974	0	at Pottsboro	21	0	1	0
11/14/1975	0	Pottsboro	40	0	1	0
11/5/1976	6	Pottsboro	19	0	1	0
11/4/1977	0	at Pottsboro	33	0	1	0
9/8/1978	21	Pottsboro	0	1	0	0
9/7/1979	14	at Pottsboro	14	0	0	1
10/10/1980	20	at Pottsboro	6	1	0	0
10/9/1981	8	Pottsboro	33	0	1	0
10/15/1982	16	at Pottsboro	18	0	1	0
10/14/1983	6	Pottsboro	7	0	1	0
10/26/1984	10	at Pottsboro	3	1	0	0
10/25/1985	28	Pottsboro	6	1	0	0
10/17/1986	14	Pottsboro	16	0	1	0
10/16/1987	3	at Pottsboro	16	0	1	0
10/14/1988	21	at Pottsboro	14	1	0	0
10/20/1989	41	Pottsboro	0	1	0	0
9/13/1996	7	Pottsboro	6	1	0	0
9/12/1997	14	at Pottsboro	19	0	1	0
11/10/2006	24	at Pottsboro	49	0	1	0
11/9/2007	6	Pottsboro	34	0	1	0
10/29/2010	20	Pottsboro	13	1	0	0
10/28/2011	0	at Pottsboro	34	0	1	0
9/28/2012	15	at Pottsboro	48	0	1	0
9/27/2013	0	Pottsboro	28	0	1	0
9/26/2014	14	Pottsboro	56	0	1	0
9/25/2015	7	at Pottsboro	49	0	1	0
10/7/2016	7	Pottsboro	35	0	1	0
10/13/2017	6	at Pottsboro	35	0	1	0
10/12/2018	0	Pottsboro	27	0	1	0
10/11/2019		at Pottsboro		0	0	1
	393	0	701	10	20	2

FRESHMAN QUARTERBACK

Freshman quarterback Austin Haley went 13-of-24 passing for 215 yards and one touchdown a week ago. The touchdown pass gives him 10 on the season and career. He ties Brian Freese for ninth all-time. Freese had 553 passing attempts compared to Haley’s 86.

With two touchdown passes, Haley would tie Andreas Liss (12 from 1982-85 ) for 8th all-time. With three, he would tie Josh Farris (2001-03) for 7th all-time.

With 95 passing yards, Haley would pass 2-year starter Scott Taylor in career yardage (973). 211 passing would push him ahead of Halen Kirby (1,083 career yards) for 10th all-time.

Haley’s 55.8 pass percentage ranks first all-time for any Howe passer with more than five attempts.

THIS DAY IN BULLDOGS HISTORY (4-5-1 on games played on Oct. 11)

1935 – Howe lost at Whitewright, 25-0 in the third game ever.

1940 – Howe beat Collinsville, 63-0

1946 – Howe won at Bells, 33-0

1963 – Howe lost to Wolfe City, 28-6

1968 – Howe beat Collinsville, 19-8

1985 – tied Anna, 7-7

1991 – beat Aubrey, 33-6

1996 – lost at Van Alstyne, 35-0

2002 – lost to Blue Ridge, 20-14

2013 – lost at Farmersville, 55-13

Game number 770 for the Howe Bulldogs.  Howe has a record of 387-358-24 since the first game on Sept. 20, 1935.

This is the second-ever matchup ever between Howe and Emory Rains.

School Name	*W-L	*Pct.	*PF	*PA	W-L	Pct.	PF	PA	Strk
Pottsboro	1-0	1.000	63	14	5-0	1.000	229	76	5 W
Van Alstyne	1-0	1.000	29	21	2-3	0.400	103	158	1 W
Howe	1-0	1.000	66	28	2-3	0.400	146	130	1 W
Rains	0-1	0.000	21	29	2-3	0.400	98	183	1 L
Commerce	0-1	0.000	14	63	1-4	0.200	113	190	3 L
Bonham	0-1	0.000	28	66	1-4	0.200	134	257	2 L
Lone Oak	0-0	0.000	0	0	1-3	0.250	92	170	2 L

Howe stats

Howe is the fifth smallest school in Class 3A, Division I, but are fairing well statistically with the large disadvantage.  Howe has scored 146 points and allowed 129 while going 2-3 on the season. A year ago, Howe had scored 125 points and given up 135 in the first five games of the season going 3-2.

Howe had 255 passing yards on the season for 2018 and eclipsed that before the half last Friday night in Bonham en route to 301 yards through the air. The Bulldogs offensive attack remains balanced with 854 yards on the ground and 893 through the air.

Howe’s 594 total yards were the second-most on record in school history. Howe gained 618 yards against Tom Bean on Oct. 17, 2014.

The 343 passing yards were the most for Howe since Oct. 22, 2010 when Chase Fountaine unleashed at Ponder.

The Bulldogs outgained Bonham by 106 yards a week ago. It’s only the fifth time in the 15-game Bill Jehling era that the Bulldogs have outgained their opponent.

Howe vs. Rains 2018

The Rains Wildcats took used their 130 plus student enrollment advantage over Howe to wear out and wear down the Bulldogs to a 41-7 win. Both teams needed wins to hang in the playoff picture and Rains had an outstanding game plan of keeping the ball in the hands of their talented sophomore quarterback Luke Shepperd. The young signal-caller ran for 99 yards on 17 carries with the longest being a 53-yard score late in the second quarter to deflate all of Howe’s momentum. Shepperd also completed 3 of 8 passes for 26 yards. His read-option partner in running back Devin Jacks helped the Wildcats amass 227 rushing yards with Jacks carrying 18 times for 72 yards.

Howe, conversely couldn’t get anything going on offense and were stymied with only 120 offensive yards. Howe rushed for 69 and passed for 51. It was the lowest rushing output for Howe at that point.

Howe brought up Jackson Adkins and Jordan Jones from the junior varsity to make their debuts.

Outlook

Howe’s offense: Howe’s offense has begun to click on all cylinders with all players finally healthy. With Haley starting at quarterback, Howe is averaging 42 points per game. Without him, they average 10 points per game.

Rains defense: Last week, the Wildcats gave up 322 yards rushing to Van Alstyne and another 149 passing. Van Alstyne had been averaging 159 yards rushing and 101 passing prior to Rains.

Rains offense: Led by junior quarterback Luke Sheppard who directs the read-option offense with running back Mason Songer (112 carries for 667 yards) in the backfield. They’ll also run motion with a jet sweep option to further advance their misdirection confusion. Sheppard (36 carries for 156 yards) is also a good thrower, completing 14 of 25 passes for 190 yards and a touchdown. Sheppard’s go-to wide receiver is slot receiver Drake Hurley who’s caught 14 passes for 146 yards.

Howe’s defense: The Bulldog D has struggled against the run by allowing 1,235 yards on the ground (247 average). However, over the last four games, the Howe D is only allowing 220.5 per game rushing. Howe’s passing defense has been the strong point. Howe’s only allowed 421 passing yards all season, however, 243 of that came last week at Bonham.

As always, the game will come down to which defense can stop each other’s high-octane offenses. If Howe’s defense can deliver against the read-option, the Bulldogs have a great chance to be successful tonight. However, if the Bulldogs play the read-option to the tune of allowing 353 rushing yards as they did to Ponder, it could be a rough night at Bulldog Stadium.

Freshman quarterback

Austin Haley is gathering some impressive numbers early in his high school career.

Yards: Last week’s 301 passing yards ranked 3rd since all-time in school history behind Chase Fountaine (343) and Jay Skipworth (302). With three starts under his belt, he’s amassed 664 yards passing and 9 touchdowns. He currently sits at 17th all-time in yardage and with 420 yards will move into the top 10.

Touchdowns: His 9 career touchdowns ranks him 10th all-time. His next touchdown will tie him with Brian Freese who had 553 career attempts compared to Haley’s 62. Skipworth is the all-time leader with 39 followed by Fountaine’s 36, and Rick Hanning’s 24. Jack Gattis of the 1940s had 20.

Jalen Thornton’s game

Jalen Thornton rushed for 216 yards at Bonham a week ago. The total is good for 15th all-time on the single-game rushing list tying Jaden Matthews who had 216 at Caddo Mills in 2016. Howe’s single-game high for rushing is held by Garrette Griffin’s 310 yards at Whitewright in 2012.

This Day in Bulldogs History (5-3)

1940, won at Celina, 45-0

1963, lost at Celina, 18-13

1968, beat Celina, 20-19

1974 lost at Whitewright, 26-9

1985, lost at Springtown, 20-0

1991, won at S&S, 76-0 (set school record for points)

1996, beat Prosper, 34-0

2002, won at Bells, 14-12

Game number 769 for the Howe Bulldogs.  Howe has a record of 386-358-24 since the first game on Sept. 20, 1935.

The Opponent

Bonham graduated their star quarterback and all-around athlete Tyler Rodriguez who is now a wide receiver at Hendrix College with former Bulldog Tanner Hartsfield.

The Warriors have not found their groove in 2019 as they are 1-3 on the season scoring 106 and allowing 191. Bonham was 3-1 at this point a year ago scoring 178 and allowing 103. They finished 8-3 a year ago with their only district loss being a 78-63 shootout with Van Alstyne. They lost in the first round of the playoffs a week later to Eustace, 59-34.

The 2019 Warriors have 15 sophomores and freshman on their varsity roster with three sophomores one freshman starting on offense and three sophomores and one freshman starting on defense.

Howe vs. Bonham, 2018

The Howe Bulldogs came wobbling into last year’s game after suffering their first loss a week prior and facing the trials and tribulations of learning hard lessons that have nothing to do with football. They accumulated 400 yards of offense against the Warriors, but allowed 438 and lost the game, 49-26. Howe was led by Cameron Blesi’s 172 yards rushing. Elijah Campbell scored Howe’s first points on a 32-yard catch from Bryce Krantz. Quarterback Layton Elvington scored on a 12-yard run, Blesi ran a 77-yard score to the north endzone, and Elvington rounded out the score on a 2-yard plunge.

Howe vs. 2018

At this time a year ago, Howe was 3-1 and had scored 99 points and given up 86. Currently, Howe has scored 80 and allowed 102. Howe’s offensive yardage to this point a year ago was 1,076 total yards of which 1,022 on the ground and 54 passing. Currently, Howe has gained 1,153 total yards which include 561 rushing yards and 592 passing yards.

Defensively, at this point in 2018, Howe had allowed 1,169 yards (644 rushing, 525 passing). Currently, Howe has allowed 1,168 yards (990 rushing, 178 passing).

District 5-3A-1 Standings

School Name	W-L	Pct.	PF	PA	Strk
Pottsboro	4-0	1.000	166	62	4 W
Rains	2-2	0.500	77	154	2 W
Howe	1-3	0.250	80	102	2 L
Commerce	1-3	0.250	99	127	2 L
Van Alstyne	1-3	0.250	74	137	3 L
Lone Oak	1-3	0.250	92	170	2 L
Bonham	1-3	0.250	106	191	1 L

September 7 games in Bulldogs History

1940, Howe beat Tioga at Bulldog Stadium, 24-0

1968, lost at Leonard, 25-7

1974, lost at home to Allen, 35-0

1985, beat Valley View at home, 15-0

1991, lost at home to Pilot Point, 7-3

1996, lost at Pilot Point, 35-7

2002, won at home 23-0 against Leonard

2013, lost to Pottsboro at home, 28-0

Game number 768 for the Howe Bulldogs.  Howe has a record of 386-357-24 since the first game on Sept. 20, 1935.

Offensive Attack

Howe accumulated 110 rushing yards a week ago and 97 through the air.  For the season, Howe is about as balanced as one can get with 493 on the ground and 490 in the air. 

Last season vs. Boyd

The season changed in Boyd a year ago.  Howe came into the game with a 3-0 record and was facing a 1-2 Boyd team.  Because of rain, the game was moved up to Thursday night which saw rain happen anyway. 

Howe had their least amount of yards at that point in the season and was outgained by 311 yards – the most since 2014 to eventual state champion Waskom.  Howe had a 65-yard Cameron Blesi touchdown early called back due to a facemask.  The Dogs were never in the game after that.  Howe lost, 33-7 at Boyd.  Off the field issues following the game resulted in turmoil that lurked the entire season.

Howe vs. Boyd History

Howe is 1-3 overall vs. the Boyd Yellowjackets.  Howe’s win came Oct. 10, 2010, in a 47-20 shootout at Bulldog Stadium.  The first game between the two teams was in the area championship round on Nov. 19, 1998, at Pennington Field in Bedford.  Boyd advanced past Howe, 28-13.    This is the second-ever game at Bulldog Stadium between the two schools.

On this day in Bulldog History (4-5)

Howe’s first-ever game was played on Sept. 20, 1935 at Tioga.  Howe lost their first game, 12-0.

1940, beat Sherman B Team, 12-0

1963, beat Allen, 20-6

1968, lost to Whitewright, 32-13

1985, lost to Celina, 18-7

1991, beat Little Elm, 32-7

1996, beat Honey Grove, 7-0

2013, lost to Gunter, 19-0

2018, lost to Boyd, 33-7

Game number 767 for the Howe Bulldogs.  Howe has a record of 386-356-24 since the first game on Sept. 20, 1935.

Howe is 1-1 on the season for the first time since 2016. Howe started 0-2 in 2017 and 2-0 in 2018.

Balanced Offensive Attack

After two games, Howe has 383 rushing yards and 393 passing yards for a total of 776 on 116 snaps for a 6.69-yard average per snap. At this point a year ago, Howe had 681 yards on 101 snaps which were 6.74 yards per snap. The Bulldogs are averaging 30 points per game in the first two with 60 overall points scored. A year ago, the Dogs had put up 61 in the first two games. While the totals are nearly identical, the process of accumulation is completely different as in 2018 Howe had rushed for 652 yards and passed for 29 yards.

Defensive Yardage

While the offensive numbers are similar, the defensive numbers are not. Howe has given up 607 yards in the first two games, whereas, 513 after the first two games in 2018. The ball-hawking Bulldogs style of offense in 2018 kept the opposing team’s defense from acquiring as many snaps as they have in 2019.

Howe vs. Bells History

This is the 49th meeting overall between Howe and Bells.  Howe owns a 35-8-5 record in the series that dates back to Nov. 20, 1936.  Howe won that first matchup at Bulldog Stadium, 19-6.  The Bulldogs won seven games in a row over Bells from 1945-1962.  Howe then won eight games in a row from 1979-1994.  Bells has only beaten Howe in back-to-back games once (1964 and 1965).

Howe hasn’t played at Bells since 2009 when they lost, 12-6. That game was the first loss at Bells since 1995. Overall, Howe is 13-4 at Bells with the four losses coming in 1964, 1972, 1995, and 2009.

11/20/1936	19	Bells	6	1	0	0
11/5/1937	6	at Bells	6	0	0	1
11/11/1938	1	Bells	0	1	0	0
11/10/1939	20	Bells	25	0	1	0
11/15/1940	47	Bells	6	1	0	0
10/17/1941	0	Bells	24	0	1	0
10/30/1942	33	at Bells	13	1	0	0
11/12/1943	0	Bells	0	0	0	1
10/27/1944	7	at Bells	7	0	0	1
10/19/1945	39	Bells	0	1	0	0
10/11/1946	33	at Bells	0	1	0	0
10/10/1947	35	Bells	0	1	0	0
9/30/1948	24	Bells	0	1	0	0
9/29/1960	38	at Bells	6	1	0	0
10/13/1961	20	Bells	8	1	0	0
11/16/1962	38	Bells	0	1	0	0
11/15/1963	0	at Bells	0	0	0	1
9/18/1964	8	at Bells	21	0	1	0
09/17/65	0	Bells	18	0	1	0
9/16/1966	6	at Bells	2	1	0	0
9/8/1967	32	Bells	14	1	0	0
9/13/1968	28	at Bells	6	1	0	0
9/12/1969	46	Bells	12	1	0	0
10/27/1972	15	at Bells	22	0	1	0
10/26/1973	38	Bells	6	1	0	0
11/10/1978	0	at Bells	0	0	0	1
11/9/1979	12	Bells	6	1	0	0
11/7/1980	18	Bells	6	1	0	0
11/6/1981	21	at Bells	0	1	0	0
10/31/1986	49	Bells	0	1	0	0
10/30/1987	38	at Bells	0	1	0	0
11/9/1990	12	Bells	11	1	0	0
11/8/1991	12	at Bells	7	1	0	0
9/23/1994	20	Bells	14	1	0	0
9/29/1995	6	at Bells	35	0	1	0
10/23/1998	21	at Bells	0	1	0	0
10/28/1999	42	Bells	7	1	0	0
9/29/2000	34	at Bells	14	1	0	0
9/28/2001	20	Bells	10	1	0	0
10/4/2002	14	at Bells	12	1	0	0
10/3/2003	21	Bells	6	1	0	0
10/29/2004	13	Bells	22	0	1	0
10/28/2005	43	at Bells	7	1	0	0
10/6/2006	28	at Bells	6	1	0	0
10/5/2007	42	Bells	16	1	0	0
10/10/2008	44	Bells	0	1	0	0
10/9/2009	6	at Bells	12	0	1	0
9/14/2018	30	Bells	15	1	0	0
9/13/2019		at Bells		0	0	0
	1079		408	35	8	5

On This Day in Bulldog History – Sept. 13

1963, lost to S&S, 16-0 at home

1968, won at Bells, 28-6

1974, lost at Princeton, 14-13

1980, lost at Frisco, 18-0

1985, won at S&S, 17-6

1991, lost at home to Van Alstyne, 13-3 (snapped a 12-game home winning streak)

1996, beat Pottsboro, 7-6

2002, lost at Van Alstyne, 28-7

2013, beat Whitewright, 31-0

Game number 766 for the Howe Bulldogs.  Howe has a record of 385-356-24 since the first game on Sept. 20, 1935.

Last Week

Howe lost to Ponder, 35-21 which key mistakes in the snapping game led to opportunities for the Lions which they took advantage of. Freshman quarterback Austin Haley threw three touchdowns to become the first to Howe player to achieve that feat since Chase Fountain threw four touchdowns vs. Ponder in 2010.

Offensive Attack

Howe totaled 374 yards last week which is the most since the Bulldogs racked up 400 yards against Bonham a year ago. Haley’s 146 yards passing was the most since Chase Harvey threw for 171 against Caddo Mills in 2017.

Defensive Woes

Howe gave up 441 yards to Ponder last week which makes three games in a row Howe has allowed over 400 yards. The Bulldogs allowed 418 to Commerce and 475 to Van Alstyne to finish out 2018. Howe has allowed over 400 yards in five of the 11 games since the beginning of last season.

The Bulldogs allowed 353 rushing yards a week ago which makes eight games in a row that Howe has allowed over 238 yards rushing in a game.

Howe at S&S 2018

Howe traveled to Sadler last year and took on a depleted Ram team that started their third-string quarterback. Their sidelines resembled a crutch factory and Howe took complete advantage of the opportunities and ran wild for 338 yards rushing and 350 overall. Howe’s running back committee was led by Cameron Blesi who ran 13 times for 177 yards while his counterpart Austin Lee rushed for three touchdowns on the night.

The Bulldogs led 27-0 midway through the second quarter and then played cat and mouse with the Rams for the remainder of the game for a 41-20 win.

The 20 points scored by S&S was the most they scored on any team with 13 being the next closest (Ponder). The Rams went 0-10 a year ago which led to the resignation of Head Coach James Gage who took the offensive coordinator position at Alvin.

New Head Coach Josh Aleman

Josh Aleman was a 3-time all-district selection and honorable mention all-state pick for the Sherman Bearcats in high school.  He played offensive line for Texas Tech.  In February, he accepted the offensive coordinator position at Center High to partner with former Bells Head Coach Scott Ponder who took the head coaching position there. But in May, he was hired by S&S as the head coach and athletic director.

Howe vs. S&S History

This is the 35th meeting between Howe and S&S.  Howe leads the series, 24-10 and has dominated by outscoring the Rams, 882-407.   Howe played one game vs. Sadler before consolidation back in 1958; Howe won 32-0.

The Bulldogs won 11 in a row over the Rams from 1983-1993 and pitched six-straight shutouts from 1984-1992.  The Bulldogs set a school record 76-points on October 4, 1991. It was a 14-0 S&S shutout over Howe that ended the streak in 1996.

Since the 11-year domination by Howe, the ‘Dogs are 7-3 vs. S&S going back to 1997 which makes a run of 18-3 since 1983 and 23-5 since 1967.

Howe is 12-5 overall at Bulldog Stadium vs. S&S with the last loss coming in 2006 (30-20).  The Bulldogs have shutout S&S eight times which is the second-most of any opponent (Bells 14).

9/22/1961	28	S & S	6	1	0	0
9/14/1962	0	at S & S	16	0	1	0
9/13/1963	0	S & S	16	0	1	0
11/13/1964	19	at S & S	36	0	1	0
11/12/1965	0	S & S	12	0	1	0
11/18/1966	0	S & S	34	0	1	0
11/17/1967	27	at S & S	12	1	0	0
10/18/1968	44	S & S	6	1	0	0
10/17/1969	32	at S & S	8	1	0	0
11/13/1970	33	at S & S	14	1	0	0
11/12/1971	27	S & S	12	1	0	0
10/1/1982	0	at S & S	32	0	1	0
9/30/1983	34	S & S	19	1	0	0
9/14/1984	34	S & S	0	1	0	0
9/13/1985	17	at S & S	6	1	0	0
10/24/1986	34	at S & S	7	1	0	0
10/23/1987	42	S & S	0	1	0	0
10/21/1988	36	at S & S	0	1	0	0
10/27/1989	48	S & S	0	1	0	0
10/5/1990	27	S & S	0	1	0	0
10/4/1991	76	at S & S	0	1	0	0
10/30/1992	18	at S & S	0	1	0	0
10/29/1993	20	S & S	6	1	0	0
11/8/1996	0	S & S	14	0	1	0
11/7/1997	43	at S & S	10	1	0	0
11/10/2000	33	S & S	0	1	0	0
11/9/2001	14	at S & S	15	0	1	0
10/25/2002	20	S & S	2	1	0	0
10/24/2003	14	at S & S	13	1	0	0
11/3/2006	20	S & S	30	0	1	0
11/2/2007	24	at S & S	28	0	1	0
10/24/2014	49	at S & S	33	1	0	0
10/23/2015	28	S & S	0	1	0	0
9/7/2018	41	at S&S	20	1	0	0
9/6/2019		S&S		0	0	0
	882	0	407	24	10	0

On This Day in Bulldog History

Howe is 4-3 on games played on Sept. 6. and 4-1 on games played at Bulldog Stadium on this date.

9/6/1963 lost at Van Alstyne, 36-0

9/6/1974 beat Anna, 14-12 at Bulldog Stadium

9/6/1985 beat Coppell, 32-6 at Bulldog Stadium

9/6/1991 beat Leonard, 27-6 at Bulldog Stadium

9/6/1996 beat Whitesboro, 8-0 at Bulldog Stadium

9/6/2002 lost at Princeton, 28-23

9/6/2013 lost to Chisum at home, 44-33