Bishop Ahr football notebook: team uses Howard's talent

If only the Bishop Ahr coaching staff could find a way to clone Tim Howard.

The talented player is typically used as a receiver for the 2-1 Trojans but his second carry in the backfield Friday night proved to be the difference in his team's 13-12 win over Point Pleasant Boro.

Howard took an end-around 65 yards for the go-ahead touchdown with 3:54 left in the third quarter. Howard outran the Panthers defense for the longest play of the game.

Just three games into the season, Howard hasn't touched the ball much but has had significant results. He torched Colonia for an 72-yard run, beat Woodbridge with a 47-yard scoring grab and added the long score Friday night.

"He's got to touch the ball more for us," Bishop Ahr Joe Vigilante said. "Not saying our quarterback and running backs aren't doing a good job but he's an electric player."

Bishop Ahr came prepared against Point Pleasant Boro's option attack Friday night.

Trojans coach Joe Vigilante credited defensive coordinator Ron James, assistant coaches and alumni coaches for the team's effort. Vigilante was an assistant several years ago when the team worked out of the option attack. The Panthers were able to have four runs of 20 yards or more but only registered two touchdowns in the game.

"That offense forces our team to play disciplined," Vigilante said. "We were satisfied with the look we got and our scout team guys did a great job getting us ready."

It hasn't been an easy start for Bishop Ahr.

So far this season the team has faced deficits of 21-0 to Colonia, 18-7 to Woodbridge, and 6-0 to Point Pleasant Boro.

On Friday night, they had a quick answer to the Panthers' initial score with a rapid 5-play, 55-yard drive that was capped off by a 3-yard scoring run by Thomas Galante to put Bishop Ahr ahead 7-6.

"I think it's a matter of guys getting excited and needing to calm down a little," Vigilante said. "We're going to get in there and fix it – that's for sure."