Howell running back Justin Jones got the business from friends’ moments after walking off the field following a satisfying opening-season 20-17 victory over rough and tumble Hudsonville.
“I didn’t know you could throw a football,” one of his buddies said to him.
A bemused look crossed Jones’s face. Of course he can throw a football. He’s played quarterback for the Highlanders, although he threw just 29 passes as a quarterback two seasons ago. But Howell never throws the football. Right?
Those are the old Highlanders. The forward pass is no longer a four-letter word in Howell. Yeah, Jones remains a tough between the tackle guy. However, his game is more versatile. He caught a touchdown pass, threw for a touchdown and remained dangerous in the running game.
“I don’t think I am different from last year,” Jones said. “This team is. Everybody wants to be here. That’s what makes it fun to come (to practice). Last year people were not willing to play or willing to do the work. It was hard to bond as a team.”
That has been head scratcher about Howell football. You heard it all year. Guys did not bond. They did not hang out together. They’d play tough but fall apart at the wrong time.
This was hard to phantom because teams are often a reflection of their coach and Brian Lewis is a one for all and all for one guy. He tossed his cap 100 miles per hour through the air after the Highlanders hung on for their first win.
Prior to the season Lewis said team chemistry is a tough thing to bottle, but his team was working hard to capture it.
Team chemistry should carry Howell to the brink of the Kensington Lakes Activities Association title this season. Not only that, but the final game of the season against Brighton will determine the champion. I am going out on the limb today and picking Howell to pull it off.

NEW LOOK FOWLERVILLE RETURNS HOME
Fowlerville lost its first game of the season, 21-14 to Division 5 state runner up Corunna. However, the Gladiators showed they are no longer push overs. Corunna returns most of its starters and should be a title contender again.
Fowlerville stood toe to toe with all around stud Will Shrader leading the charge along with quarterback Wyatt Soli. Sometimes, the Gladiators should tell speedy Justin Wojcik to “just fly” and let him tear the cover off the top of the secondary.
(Foster can be reached at TerryFoster74@comcast.net)