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