NORTH CANTON There aren’t many fool-proof defenses to stop Erick Howard. But there is one way to keep Ohio’s reigning Mr. Football in check.
Keep the Hoover High School senior running back off the field.
Perry didn’t do that Friday night. In fact, the Panthers gave Howard two extra possessions. They might as well have taped his highlights, too.
Howard’s night ended early with 238 yards and three touchdowns as Hoover beat Perry, 35-7, at North Canton Memorial Stadium. Howard, who carried the ball 48 times the week before, carried it just 23 times and didn’t play in the fourth quarter of the Federal League opener for both teams.
He did enough damage before halftime.
