GARDNER GOES OFF; NILES TOASTS TIGERS
NILES, OH- In a riveting matchup between the Howland Tigers and the Niles Red Dragons, football fans were treated to a roller-coaster of action, with both teams leaving it all on the field. The first quarter remained scoreless as the two teams jockeyed for control. However, the second quarter brought a flurry of excitement. Howland’s quarterback, John Perry, showcased his skills with a precision 20-yard touchdown pass to TJ Douglas, putting the Tigers on the board at 6-0 with just 4 minutes and 10 seconds left on the clock. The successful PAT by Jack Litton extended their lead to 7-0.
Not to be outdone, the Niles Red Dragons roared back just before halftime. With a mere 6 seconds left, Antuan Gardner sprinted his way into the end zone with a 9-yard touchdown run, bringing the score to a close 7-6 in favor of Howland as the teams headed into the locker rooms.
As the third quarter unfolded, Niles continued to surge. Gardner once again demonstrated why he’s considered one of the area’s best with a 9-yard touchdown run at the 8:38 mark. Anthony Georgalas’s successful extra point kick boosted Niles’ lead to 14-7. The fourth quarter proved to be a pivotal turning point, with both teams fiercely battling for supremacy. Niles’ Anthony Budak unleashed an electrifying 85-yard touchdown run, extending Niles’ advantage. Howland responded with a stunning 62-yard touchdown pass from Perry to Josh Jarvis, reigniting their hopes and narrowing the gap to a one-score game.
However, Niles’ Gardner refused to be contained. With a relentless drive, he powered his way into the end zone from 4 yards out, expanding Niles’ lead to 28-14. Gardner continued his stellar performance, notching another touchdown with a 15-yard run, securing Niles’ commanding 35-14 lead with just 3 minutes and 47 seconds left on the game clock. Mother Nature had other plans, though, as inclement weather abruptly brought the game to an early close.
When all was said and done, Niles emerged victorious with a well-fought 35-14 lead, starting their season off on a high note with a 1-0 record. On the other side, Howland faced an unfortunate defeat, commencing their season at 0-1.
