Coaches like to say that all games are equal in a given schedule.
But then there’s Brighton (6-1, 4-0 KLAA West) and Howell (5-2, 3-1), who play tonight for the Little Brown Jug, which is a priority; for the division title, which goes to the winner; and for pride, which plays a huge role.
“I think it’s that sense of accomplishment,” Howell coach Aaron Metz said. “Obviously, these are two large communities in Livingston County, neighboring communities, and there’s always that natural rivalry. Football’s a big sport in both communities. Having been in both communities, they follow their teams and want to see success.”
“It’s the hardest-hitting game of the year,” Howell running back Joey Gossett said. “You’re going to hear some cracks in the stands, for sure. There ain’t nothing like this game. It’s ridiculous. So much fun.”
A large crowd is expected for the game, which will be broadcast on The Livingston Post beginning at 6:50 p.m.
The level of hitting is a tradition; Brighton grad Dave Pearson, who played center at Michigan and for the Detroit Lions, once said only the Michigan-Ohio State game featured more consistent hitting in his experience.
“You know the kids,” Howell lineman Will Manson said. “They’re our neighbor town, and you want to smoke ’em. Every play.”
But there’s more at stake than merely battering the opponent. The winner will play host to Walled Lake Western in next week’s season finale for the Lakes Conference championship.
For Howell, a win would also mean a berth in the playoffs.
What fans will likely see are two teams that have bruising rushing attacks with just enough passing to keep opposing defenses honest.
“I think both programs have evolved throughout the season in trying to figure out what they are,” Metz said. “They’ve established a double-tight power run team, and they do well enough in the passing game to make some big plays. We’re a little bit different. We spread things out a little bit more, and still run the ball. We try to be efficient in the passing game, but we’ve hit some big pass plays, too.”
Each team has had a player rush for more than 200 yards in a game this season: Brighton’s Luke Helwing (217 yards two weeks ago) and Howell’s Ryan Brennan (311 yards the same night)
Brighton coach Brian Lemons says the team that controls its emotions in the early going will have the advantage.
“It’s going to be such a big game,” he said, “and that first quarter is going to be so energetic. I think the idea is to get in there and get calm and get focused for all four quarters of the game.”
Should Howell win and Pinckney win its homecoming game with Milford, it would create a three-way tie for first in the KLAA West, which would be decided by playoff points, a calculation that would favor Howell. If Brighton wins, the Bulldogs would win the title outright.
“My kids are excited,” Lemons said. “They’ve taken care of business up to this point. They know they can close things out here and hold that division championship all to themselves.”
And, they hope, retain the Little Brown Jug that is at the heart of the rivalry.
Unless, of course, the Highlanders wrest it away.
“The last time we got the Jug was two years ago, when we played here,” Manson said. “We’ve got to get it back this week.”
