Brandon Howes lit up the box score last season for Konawaena and his ability to get the ball downfield to speedy Wildcat receivers was the catalyst in an undefeated title run.
Brandon Howes lit up the box score last season for Konawaena and his ability to get the ball downfield to speedy Wildcat receivers was the catalyst in an undefeated title run.
Brandon Howes graduated and is now playing college football at Pacific University. Fortunately for the Wildcats, a Howes will still be under center in 2014.
Cameron Howes will see time at quarterback this season. While their styles are different — Cameron opting to use his feet more often than his older sibling — the Wildcats are hoping for similar results.
“Brandon Howes is a brilliant kid,” Konawaena head coach Cliff Walters said. “He is so dedicated to his craft and disciplined. He stood in there sometimes when he shouldn’t have, but it paid off.”
Brandon garnered All-BIIF honors at quarterback, and Cameron at wide receiver. The brothers hooked up 24 times for 404 yards and five touchdowns
This season, Cameron Howes will split time at quarterback with Shelton Grace. The duo will also play wide receiver, a testament to the speed and quickness they bring at QB.
“Brandon just stole our heart. We knew it was going to be hard to replace him, but we are getting at it now and I’m confident in the guys we have,” Walters said. “Each one has something the other doesn’t have, so we expect that we will use both. When they are not at quarterback, they will be at wide receiver.”
Brandon did not start a game before his senior season at Konawaena and learned a lot on the fly during his first few games. Like any good big brother, Brandon instilled some of that knowledge in Cameron before departing for college.
“It’s been great. During the summer my brother helped me a lot and taught me a lot of things,” Cameron Howes said. “The fact that he is just a phone call away and has been in my shoes is comforting.”
As for the expectations for this season and the Wildcats chances to get a fourth consecutive title, Howes is optimistic.
“Our defense is looking solid and our offense has threats all over the field,” he said. “We have been in the weight room in the offseason and are ready to get at it. I think we are ready for anything.”