Belleville lineman Trezelle Jenkins glared at Howell players lined up on the sidelines prior to the KLAA championship game and laughed.
It was a gesture of destain. It was a gesture of disrespect against a team he thought he'd destroy.
Well, no one is looking down at the Howell Highlanders now. No one is laughing at Howell, which enters the MHSAA football playoffs as top dog after upsetting previously top-ranked Belleville in the KLAA championship game, 30-29 last week.
The Highlanders learned they would face Kalamazoo Central (6-3) in Friday’s opening game at Howell High School. The stellar season ensures that Howell (9-0) would host the first three games of the playoffs if it lasts that long.
Howell coach Brian Lewis believes the Highlanders earned Belleville’s respect on their opening drive when they pounded the ball down Belleville’s throat to take an early lead. However, running back Justin Jefferson is not so sure that is the case.
“To be honest I don’t think we earned their respect,” Jones said. “We will probably play them again and we will earn their respect then.”
Howell is the talk of the state. Everybody knows who the Highlanders are now. They know of Jones and the inside force of this offensive line. They know of Bobby Kanka who moved Belleville defenders around like we shove shopping carts in the grocery store.
The only fear against Kalamazoo Central is will Howell have anything left in the tank? The Highlanders are coming off two highly charged and emotional wins over archrival Brighton and Belleville.
Will playing a team like Central, one they should beat, be a letdown?
Of course, the Highlanders said that won’t be the case.
“This is a confident group. This is a together group,” Lewis said. “These guys have been unbelievable. We love Howell. We love playing in Howell. Howell is getting playoff games. This is good for the community.”