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Still lifts Howard to win over Dickinson
Star's big defensive plays provide momentum as Wildcats blank Rams
By ANDY JASNER, Special to The News Journal Posted Saturday, October 7, 2006
WILMINGTON -- When Howard High needed a big play, it turned to its biggest player.
Devon Still continued to show why he's being recruited by numerous college football programs. The 6-foot-5, 260-pound tackle-defensive end made two clutch defensive plays that helped the visiting Wildcats beat Dickinson 14-0 in a Blue Hen Flight B battle Friday night.
After Howard (4-1, 1-1) took a 6-0 lead on a 5-yard touchdown run by quarterback Charlie Todd, the Rams (2-3, 1-1) marched 76 yards to the Wildcats 1-yard line. On fourth-and-goal, Still prevented running back Jazz Johnson from plunging into the end zone.
Late in the fourth quarter, Dickinson took over at its own 41. Three penalties pushed the Rams back for an eventual fourth-and-23 from their own 28. On fourth down, Still sacked quarterback Trevor Parham.
Howard went on to score on its next possession with a 10-yard run by Keevis Thompson and a two-point conversion by Thompson.
But Still provided the much-needed momentum.
"I knew they had to pass on fourth down," Still said. "I told the guys in the huddle I was going to get a sack before I did it."
Howard dominated the field position and outgained Dickinson 382-161.
But until that last TD, the game was up for grabs.
"I'll take them any way I can," Howard coach Dan Ritter said. "It was a combination of coming off a tough Hodgson game. Then, we didn't have the greatest week of practice. It was those two factors combined, plus I take my hat off to Dickinson. They're much improved from last year. I have a feeling they're going to surprise some people before the year is out."
Dickinson coach Craig Stephenson said he was proud of his team.
"We're right there," Stephenson said. "We've just got to do a few things better. Howard's a good football team. I told the kids afterward that we're a good football team, too. It was just a few mental things we've got to improve on, and we can win games like this."
