Pass-happy Wildcats 3-0

NEW LONDON

The New London football team is off to an impressive 3-0 start.

Seth Howard and Andrew Davis are big reasons why that's been the case.

Howard, a three-year starting quarterback, is running out of the shotgun around 90 percent of the time.

"We're definitely throwing the ball a lot,'' he said. "I love to throw the ball. Coach B (Brent Besancon) tries to get some running plays in. We're trying to get some balance.''

Howard had a big game as the Wildcats blanked Newcomerstown 48-0 Friday.

He ran for a career-high 154 yards on seven carries and four touchdowns and completed 6-of-13 passes for 197 yards and one touchdown in the win.

For the season, Howard has completed 31 passes out of 48 attempts for 576 yards with six touchdowns and one interception. He went for 2,029 yards through the air with 15 touchdowns and 15 picks two seasons ago.

In 2007, Howard completed 61-of-131 for 1,281 yards with 13 TDs and just three interceptions. Howard, a first-team all-Firelands Conference player in 2007, is also second on the team in rushing at 205 yards.

"He's been running the ball better and better each week,'' Besancon said. "We're looking for some running plays, but obviously, his bread and butter is passing. He's the one with the ball in his hands. It's been working out.''

Howard's favorite target is senior Andrew Davis, who has caught 15 receptions for 432 yards and five scores. Davis hauled in 30 receptions for 614 yards and six touchdowns last season as the Wildcats went 5-5 overall, 4-3 in the league in Besancon's first year at the helm.

"Andrew has been having a good year,'' Howard said. "He's a great athlete.''

The duo hooked up on a 96-yard touchdown strike against Newcomerstown.

"He is a speed demon,'' Howard said of Davis. "We've been working out since seventh grade. It's been a non-stop thing.''

Davis added, "We were just running a crossing route. I adjusted my route and he threw it on the money. By the 40-yard line it was a long run.''

Davis, who earned first-team all-league accolades at wide receiver last season, is averaging 28.8 yards per catch. He has also taken two punt returns back for touchdowns and has scored 42 points on the season.

Davis has built a connection with Howard.

"He's one of my best friends,'' Davis said. "After practice, we're running a lot of routes. We hope to keep it rolling.''

Davis, also a second-team all-FC defensive back, said the offseason work has paid off.

"We worked hard in the weight room and I worked on my acceleration,'' he said. "I've been going to Ohio State camps with Howard. I learned a lot from the Ohio State coaches and our wide receivers coach (Jim Uszynski) knows what he's talking about.''

Davis said he has ran a legitimate 4.5, 4.6 40-yard dash.

"I consider myself somebody that just wants to get open,'' he said. "Whatever helps my team.''

The guys up front have provided the holes for New London to rack up 142 points in three games.

"The offensive line has been impressive,'' Davis said. "We're jelling as a team. It's been a team effort.''

Senior offensive lineman Jeremiah Hamilton is excited about the team's start.

"I think the whole line gets a sense of pride when we come home with a win,'' Hamilton said.

New London starts the FC at 2-1 Western Reserve. The Wildcats are searching for their first winning season since 1995, which is also the school's last playoff apperance.

"At 3-0, we're pretty excited,'' Davis said. "One of our goals was to start fast. We want to play our game and see what we can do. We're trying to build some energy in the program. It's my senior year and I have seven games left. I want to enjoy them.''