Two touches against Montezuma-Cortez, two touchdowns. Six carries against Pagosa Springs, three touchdowns. If there was any question as to whether Everett Howland could return from injury and fill the shoes of Dawson Marcum, they have been answered.
Howland, a senior at Durango High School, has made his presence felt on the football field already this season. Though his two-touchdown, 70-yard game in a preseason exhibition against the Cortez Panthers won’t count toward his stats at the end of the season, his six-carry, 176-yard and three-score game against the Pagosa Springs Pirates last week showed he has the ability to become the next 1,000-yard rusher for the Demons on the heels of Marcum’s 1,131-yard performance a year ago.
“Everett isn’t as much of an outgoing personality like Dawson was, but he’s a hard worker just like Dawson was,” said DHS junior quarterback Jordan Woolverton. “He can do everything Dawson did for us, and I’m excited to see what he can do this year. He hasn’t had a big shot at running back while playing behind Dawson, but now he’s getting his shot, and I think he’s going to kill it.”
Howland’s output last week helped the Demons to a 34-0 lead after one quarter and a 47-0 win when the final whistle blew. He’s turned in his early-season success after going through extensive work at Tomsic Physical Therapy after he dislocated an elbow during the final week of the regular season a year ago at Pueblo East. He also said he worked with Marcum during the summer to try to implement some of his predecessor’s technique in his own game.
“It’s kind of weird for me,” Howland said. “I haven’t played a whole lot of offense in my high school career. Getting back in the groove of running the ball is pretty sweet.”
Howland, son of Jim and Lynn Howland, has benefited from running behind a huge offensive line. Anchored by Kansas State commit Carver Willis and senior Fynn Hyson along with big freshman Josh Bates, Howland’s own junior brother, Nathan, and linemen such as Colby Basye, Ethan Ryan and Demetrius Trujillo, the solidly-built running back has had massive holes to gallop through. But the 10th-ranked Demons (1-0) know those lanes will get smaller Friday against No. 2 Palisade (0-0).
While Howland has a key role to play in the offense’s success, he’s also starting at middle linebacker for the second consecutive season. A year ago, he had 87 total tackles and a pair of sacks. At both running back and linebacker, Howland works with positional coach Dave Varnell, a longtime Fort Lewis College assistant coach who also coached Bayfield High in the late 1990s. Varnell has given Howland the nickname “Franchise” for how important he is to the Demons in all phases of the game.
And if Durango is to beat Palisade this week at home and go on to contend for a Class 3A South Central League title before a run in the state playoffs, the Demons will need to lean heavily on their “Franchise” player.
“This is my last year, so I want to win the conference and put our name up there in the state,” Howland said. “Beating Palisade and all the Pueblo teams is our No. 1 goal.”
jlivingston@durangoherald.com
Behind the scenes
Do you have a nickname?:
All through YAFL, they called me “Beast.” But coach Varnell came up with a nickname for me, “Franchise.”
What is your favorite pregame meal?” Steak and mashed potatoes
Who is your favorite athlete?:
Saquon Barkley
Do you have a favorite sports movie or show?:
“All American”
What is your dream car?:
A Lamborghini
What was your favorite children’s book?:
“Curious George”
If you could be a superhero, who would you be?:
Spider-Man; I went through like eight Spider-Man costumers when I was a kid.
What teacher has had a big impact on your life?:
Mr. (Robert) Logan. He has taught me a bunch in the classroom and also for daily life. It’s helped me in my high school carer, and not just in school.
What do you want to do after high school?:
I want to go to college and possibly play football and study business.
