Derrick Webb, Managing Editor
Southern Ohio Sports Authority is presented by OhioHealth.
CHILLICOTHE — To say that Unioto’s defense has been suffocating this fall is like saying the grass is green and the sky is blue.
Both the Shermans’ overall record and the team’s statistics back up that statement.
Six games have resulted in six wins and, during that stretch, Unioto has outscored its opponents by a staggering 280-21 margin. To further prove the point, the Shermans haven’t surrendered more than eight points in any game this season.
Luke Howard has played a leading role in that success.
The senior defensive lineman has held his own at 6-foot-1, 170 pounds, keeping containment on the edge while being versatile enough to drop into coverage when asked to do so.
“This year has been eventful for me because I want to show everyone that you don’t have to be a giant to be good,” Howard said. “It’s all mental. If you truly want it, you’ll get it.”
Howard has indeed truly wanted it all year long.
In just over half of a regular season, he has tallied 21 tackles, 5 ½ for a loss of yardage, 1 ½ sacks and a fumble recovery for a touchdown.
Those numbers, and his ability to be a lead-by-example senior have helped him earn SOSA’s Pickaway-Ross Athlete of the Month status.
Howard’s individual statistics don’t mean a thing to him. He’d rather keep winning ballgames. It’s that exact type of mindset why the Shermans are where they are.
“We come into every game thinking of Week 11,” Howard said. “That’s a playoff game. We never take a team lightly and never walk into a game thinking we’re going to win. Our mindset is kill or be killed.”
In a 48-8 win over Vinton County in Week 2, Howard announced his presence in a big way with a fumble recovery for a touchdown.
But through every week, he’s worked with a cast of talented playmakers who have had to battle through adversity after teammate Yusef Wilson went down with an injury.
CREDIT: Cindy Hoops/Unioto Sherman Tanks Football
“My favorite moment I’ve had this year is definitely my fumble recovery touchdown. Our defensive line has been so successful because Bryce Jarvis is such a good athlete and can dominate anywhere on the line. Jacob Renner is new, but he also has a great sense and is able to adapt. With Yusef being out, we have had a number of guys trying to fill his shoes but us seniors have been able to lead them to success.”
When he’s not terrorizing opposing offensive linemen, Howard is busy putting his best foot forward in the Diesel and Heavy Truck Mechanics field at Pickaway-Ross Career & Technology Center.
That profession holds a special place in his heart. His dad owns Big Rig Road Call Services, based in Chillicothe.
“I chose [the field of study] because I look up to my dad a lot,” Howard said. “My best piece of advice to students considering PRCTC is that if you work hard, people will work hard to make sure you succeed. The biggest benefit for me is getting on-job placement at Diesel Truck Repair with Michael Shepherd, getting real-world experience and getting my hands on.”
Howard’s long-term destiny might be working alongside his pops. But his short-term future is what he’s focused on as of now.
Unioto still has plenty of football left to play, and plenty of things left to prove. This Friday, they’ll meet with rival Zane Trace in an attempt to try and stay undefeated.
But the team’s goals stretch well past Week 7. With a league championship in their crosshairs, the Shermans would also like to chase the playoff monkey off their backs.
“This year, I expect our team to go 10-0, win the league and have a playoff run,” Howard said. “The ceiling? There is no ceiling.”
SPONSORED BY PICKAWAY-ROSS CTC
