It is game number 744 in Howe Bulldogs history and playoff game number 35. It is the 6th ever Regional Championship Howe has ever played in, but the second in three years. Howe has an overall record of 381-338-24 and an overall playoff record of 14-17-3. Howe advanced on two of the three ties.
The Bulldogs have won 24 of their last 31 games and Head Coach Zack Hudson has tied Buck Smith with 29 wins in Howe history. That total only trails Norman Dickey (51), Jim Fryar (41) and Davey DuBose (34). Hudson now has won more playoff games (5) than any other coach in Howe history.
It is the second time Howe has ever played at Royse City ISD Stadium. Howe beat Edgewood in a comeback thriller last year in the bi-district round, 43-33. Howe had 513 rushing yards that game to set a school playoff record for rushing yards and total yards.
It is the first ever meeting between the Howe Bulldogs (9-3) and the Mineola Yellowjackets (10-2). Mineola went undefeated in District 7. Out of that district came Farmersville (playing Pottsboro tomorrow), Mt. Vernon (eliminated by White Oak, 46-12) and Winnsboro (eliminated by Jefferson, 43-36). Mineola has scored 576 points on the season (48/g) and given up 202 points (17/g). Howe has scored 395 (33/g) and given up 262 (22/g).
Mineola will feature senior 5’9, 190 quarterback Jeremiah Crawford who has rushed for 1,918 yards (12 yds/carry) and thrown for 782 yards (47 completion percentage). They are led on defense by head Coach Joe Drennon’s son, Michael Drennon, who plays linebacker.
Mineola lost to Cameron Yoe in the state championship two years ago and got beat in the semifinal round a year ago by eventual state champion Brock. Now those sophomores and juniors are seniors and they feel this is their year to win the whole thing.
Howe has rushed for a school record 4,550 yards and are averaging 6.55 per carry. Howe’s 52 rushing touchdowns is also a new high. Since Howe went to the Slot-T offense three years ago, they have amassed 13,076 yards (6.97 per carry) with 151 touchdowns in 37 games.
Last week, Tyler Grisham became the all-time leader in school history in rushing touchdowns (42) and overall touchdowns (45). He surpassed Nathanael Falls in both categories.
Tickets are $7 for adults and $4 for kids.
FM 2642 @ IH 30 E — Royse City, Texas 75189
