They are flashy, unpredictable and fun to watch.
Are we talking about usually stoic Howell football?
Yes indeed. Howell has a new look this year and is just as likely to have a running back drop back in pass formation to zing touchdown passes as its quarterback.
Since a nail biting 20-17 victory over Hudsonville in the season opener, the Highlanders (4-0) are averaging 43.7 points a game and are tied for first place in the KLAA West Division with Novi.
It appears as if that team chemistry Howell has chased the past couple of seasons is beginning to bond.
Howell faces Novi in two weeks in what could be a winner take all battle for the KLAA West Division title. This week’s opponent – Northville (2-2, 2-1) – is no slouch and hopes to get back in the race with a home victory on Friday. Novi’s biggest victory to date is a 29-28 double overtime victory over Brighton.
You can expect another high scoring game in Northville when the Highlanders and Wildcats battle. Running back Justin Jones, who has played quarterback before, got a good chuckle when friends said they did not know he could throw a football.
Of course he can after throwing two touchdown passes this season. He can also catch the ball (136 receiving yards and three touchdown passes) and run the ball where he has rushed for 318 yards and six touchdowns.
His running mate Aiden Horvath is nearly as dangerous. He ran for 161 yards and three touchdowns while compiling 116 receiving yards and two touchdowns.
The future looks bright for Howell. Sophomore running back Bryce Kish has run for 280 yards and two touchdowns. His breakout game came against Canton (95 yards, 14 carries and two touchdowns). Howell coach Brian Lewis predicted a breakout season for Kish. So far that appears to be the case.

** It’s always fun when rivals clash. This Friday’s WHMI Game of the Week features Brighton making the short trip north to face Hartland. Both teams are 2-2 overall. Bragging rights are not the only thing on the line. The winner positions itself into advancing to the MHSAA state playoffs.
The loser will scramble to make the show.
Brighton is a big-play machine thanks to transfer quarterback Lawrence Wells who has passed for 300 yards and five touchdowns and rushed for 322 yards. His main target is Sebastian Boyer (11 receptions, 212 yards and five touchdowns). Jackson Johnson has rushed for 191 yards and four touchdowns.
Brighton runs a more diverse offense while Hartland hopes to ground opponents into the ground. Grant Pawlak has run for 208 yards and two touchdowns while teammate Matt Flynn has 133 yards on the ground.