By Ryan Deal, 605 Sports
ryan.deal@sportsticket.tv

HOWARD — Howard grounded Chester Area’s high-scoring offense on Friday.

The Class 9A No. 2 Tigers held the Class 9AA No. 4 Flyers in check and picked up a 26-8 high school football win between two undefeated teams. 

The Tigers, who hang their hat on playing sound defense and running the ball, did just that against the Flyers. Karsyn Feldhaus scored three rushing touchdowns and Griffin Clubb scored another on the ground.

“On offense, I told these guys we had to win ugly tonight because they were bringing guys everywhere and gave us some fits in some areas,” Howard (4-0) coach Pat Ruml said. “But we figured it out at halftime.”

Feldhaus, who said he’s never scored three touchdowns in a game, filled in for John Callies after he sustained a leg injury in the first half. Feldhaus, a sophomore running back, responded in a big way.

“We were flying to the ball very easily and it was very good,” said Feldhaus, who praised his offensive line for powering the ground game.

Clubb, Taiden Hoyer and Ty Beyer also powered the rushing attack for Howard.

“We’ve got some capable backs and our number twos are really good,” Ruml said.

But equally as important was Howard’s defense, which bottled up dynamic quarterback Stratton Eppard and Chester Area’s high-powered offense. Chester Area’s lone touchdown came on a 50-yard touchdown reception from Eppard to Jovi Wolf in the third quarter. 

“Our defense, we didn’t have to be out there that many times,” Ruml said. “But holding a team like that to eight points -- phenomenal.” 

After a scoreless first quarter, Clubb got Howard on the board with a five-yard touchdown plunge in the second quarter. Feldhaus scored right before halftime to make it 14-0 as Howard seized momentum going into the break.

“It was really big,” Ruml said. “That’s the type of thing you have to get when you are down at the one-yard line.”

After Feldhaus scored his second touchdown, Eppard connected with Wolf for Chester Area’s lone score. But Feldhaus scored again in the final quarter and sealed it with an interception on defense on Chester Area’s last possession.

Chester Area (3-1) hosts Canistota/Freeman on Sept. 24. The Tigers will play Irene-Wakonda on Sept. 17.

“We have to keep getting better,” Ruml said. “Games like this do us a lot of good. Win or lose they do us a lot of good and everything is geared up for playoffs. We have conference games all the rest of the way through and there’s not an easy game.”