Sunday Special: Howard to return for Vikings

After changing plans to relocate to Washington

Sunday, August 17, 2008

Todd Porter, Canton Repository

If you never really left home, can you return?

At Hoover High School, absolutely and with open arms.

Vikings head coach Don Hertler Jr. can breathe a little easier entering Friday's

season opener because his best player, running back Erick Howard, has

returned to Hoover.

Howard flew to the Seattle area, where it was thought his family would relocate.

However, that plan has changed after the junior went out early to start working

out with his new football team.

Hoover Athletics Director, Don Shimek contacted the Ohio High School Athletic

Association to find out how the school should handle Howard's return within the

rules.

Essentially, Howard had to miss Friday night's scrimmage because he

needed another acclimation day. He missed most of Hoover's two-a-days.

"Everything is on the up and up," Hertler said. "We're going by the book with the state."

The Howards' residency never changed, according to Hertler. While Howard went to Washington, his mother remained in North Canton.

"As far as I know, he will start and complete the season at North Canton," Hertler said.

That doesn't mean he'll start the first game at running back.

"He will have to work his way back up," Hertler said. "The other kids stepped in and worked hard this summer. It's going to take him some time. He's in good shape, though."

The three backs challenging for carries are senior Jeff Meek and juniors Jordan Witt and Roman Musisca. Howard rushed for 1,300 yards last season and is a major Division I recruit. He has drawn the interest of Ohio State.

"He is extremely happy to be back," Hertler said. "When you've known someone as long as we've known Erick, you hate to see him leave. He has a lot of personality. We'll take this day-by-day.

"He has a lot of catching up to do with things. We'll see how quickly he can catch up. It's good to have him back for a lot of reasons, and the team feels that way, too."

Throughout the process, Howard remained in contact with some of his Hoover teammates. So when he showed up at practice late last week, word already had spread through the locker room.

With Howard back, Hoover can assume its role in the top half of the Federal League mix. But that's just on paper.

How soon Howard makes an impact is yet to be seen.

It could be this week.

"He could be available," Hertler said. "We'll have to see how the scrimmage goes, because there's a lot of positions still open, and we'll have to see how practice goes."

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Hoover High School junior Erick Howard as a sophomore running wild against Massillon Jackson last season.