For the second straight year, Howard won a 2-point decision from Polk County. This time, the Hustlin’ Tigers passed their way to a 28-26 win over the home-standing Wildcats.

Polk fell behind by two touchdowns early but refused to quit. The deficit was still 14 points with seven minutes left in the game. Polk kept coming back and only a missed 2-point conversion with less than a minute remaining ruined a furious comeback and kept the game from going into overtime. Howard remained unbeaten and tied for the top spot in the region while Polk dropped to 5-1 overall and 3-1 in the region.

Senior quarterback Michael Bryant completed 15 of 22 pass attempts for more than 250 yards. He was especially deadly on third down. His favorite receiver was senior Jahron Reynolds who caught eight of those passes for 147 yards and a touchdown. Howard converted seven of 10 third down situations into either a first down or touchdown. They also converted one fourth down play into a touchdown.

 Still, Polk was in the game all the way, refusing to give in. Sophomore quarterback Jared Allen completed seven of 12 passes for 99 yards and two touchdowns. He also ran for a score. Sophomore running back Tyler Lee had another all-purpose game completing a half back pass for big yardage, catching a touchdown pass.

The Wildcats did their own third and fourth down conversions succeeding on eight of 13.

While the Wildcat pass defense was shredded, the running defense was stellar holding the Tigers to a paltry 24 yards in 32 attempts. Zack Akins, Michael Hargrove, Marcus Taylor and Ethan Boyd had multiple tackle efforts.

For Polk, the playoffs are still two wins away. A home playoff game is four wins away with four to play. The Wildcats travel to Meigs County this Friday. On Oct, 17, Polk is home against much improved Sequoyah then travel to McMinn Central and finish the regular season at home against Notre Dame.

THE GAME

First Quarter

Howard’s first possession resulted in a 12-play 77-yard scoring drive. Bryant threw for 55 yards on the drive that climaxed with his 4-yard touchdown run. The PAT kick was good. Polk appeared to be striking right back as Luke Phillips gained 23 yards on an inside reverse and Allen passed to Taylor for 22 yards and to Cody Price for seven reaching the Howard 13. A fumbled snap, however, was recovered by Howard. Akins and Chase Christian sacked Bryant for a nine yard loss but a 20-yard run by Marcus Shropshire and an 11 yard pass completion to Reynolds moved the ball out to the 35. Akins and Hargrove dropped a runner for a big loss on the last play of the quarter, HOWARD 7 POLK 0

Second Quarter

After an exchange of punts, Howard drove 57 yards in four p[lays for their second score. The key play was a 53-yard pass completion to a wide open Reynolds. Shropshire ran it in from the two on third and goal. The PAT kick was good. Steven Jackson gave Polk good field position with a 30-yard kick return but the Wildcats could not advance and punted. Adam Gentry and Boyd clobbered the punt returner stopping him in his tracks. Howard was forced to punt with Polk taking over at the Howard 40. Lee went around the right side for 18 yards. Allen gained 11 on a draw and Zack Fletcher got the first down on fourth and four. An off side penalty moved the ball to the five and Allen passed to James Bussey for the score. Hunter Longley kicked the extra point. Howard’s Eric McCullough ran the kick off back 66 yards to the Polk 27 and Bryant completed a fourth down 20-yard touchdown pass to Reynolds. The PAT kick was no good. HOWARD 20 POLK 7

Third Quarter

Polk’s first possession was stopped by a sack of Allen. Howard drove from its 47 to the Polk 28 in six plays. On second and eight Hargrove hit Bryant hard forcing an errant pitch that was recovered by Akins at the Polk 34. Price and Phillips gained six and four yards for a first down and Lee followed that with a half back pass to Bussey for 26 yards. On fourth and four at the Howard 24, Lee squirted for eight yards and a first down at the Howard 16. Price finished the drive with a 3-yard run and Longley kicked the extra point. Howard then began a 13-play, 92-yard frustrating scoring drive. The quarter ended with Howard having a first down at its 24. HOWARD 20 POLK 14

Fourth Quarter

Three times Howard faced third down and three times they escaped. The crucial play was a third and 13 situation that turned into a 56-yard pass completion to Reynolds reaching the Polk two. Shropshire ran it in and Bryant completed a pass fore the 2-point conversion with 6:56 left. Jackson again gave Polk good field position with a 57-yard kick return to the Howard 33. On third and four Allen flipped a flat pass to lee who raced untouched 27 yards for the score, The PAT kick was no good. The defense rose up and stopped Howard for no gain. Lee ran the ensuing punt back 22 yards to the Polk 43. Price gained 12 on third and four and four on third and two keeping the drive alive, On third and four from the 17, Allen kept the ball all the way and scored with 51 seconds left. The conversion run failed, and Polk’s try for an on side kick just missed. HOWARD 28 POLK 26