By Terry Foster
WHMI.COM
The Howell Highlanders are on a two-week march to shut up those loud mouths from Hartland. The Highlanders are on a mission to become the best football team in Livingston County which in turn makes them the best football team in the KLAA.
Hartland is on the same path.
Hartland’s mission this season is to unseat Howell as Livingston County’s best. The Eagles took a giant step in that direction with a 36-21 victory over Brighton two weeks ago. Now comes the tough part. Hartland (4-1) can win the crown if it can defeat Howell (5-0) this Friday in Howell.
Howell has won 18 of its last 19 games against KLAA opponents. Despite this run at least one Hartland player believes the Eagles have already wrestled the crown from the Highlanders.
“Honestly, I believe we are the best team in the KLAA,” said Hartland defensive end Michael Horton. “I think we have to prepare for Howell. I hear they are pretty good, but I think we’ve got that in the bank.”
Let me tell you something about Horton. The man is unafraid to speak. And he is unafraid to hit. I was very impressed with him during the Brighton game. I told him that and he told me this.
“I do this every game,” he said. “You should come see me play more often.”
I plan to because he is a joy to watch.
So is Hartland running back, Nic Honeycutt, who runs inside behind a talented offensive line. But he has breakaway speed which is hard to contain. Once he turns the corner he is gone. Nobody can catch him.
After a season-opening 28-0 loss to Oxford Hartland has reeled off four straight KLAA wins and outscored opponents 189-33. Howell is also 4-0 in the KLAA and has stomped opponents by a combined score of 188-58.
I am reluctant to say Hartland is better on defense because one of Howell’s wins came against state power Belleville. And Howell coach Brian Lewis is not afraid to play his sophomore class after Howell storms to a big lead.
The top of the KLAA Gold Division reads as such. Howell (4-0) and Hartland (4-0). Brighton (2-1) and Dearborn (2-1). My guess is Howell becomes the best in Livingston County with a tight win over Hartland Friday. Then the Highlanders validate with a win the following week against Brighton.