If your football team needs a touchdown, King Howard’s your man. The Plant City Dolphins Mighty Mites picked up a 53-12 win over the New Tampa Wildcats thanks in large part to Howard’s seven touchdowns on the ground in last weekend’s TCYFCC Superbowl championship game. Howard and the Mighty Mites will return to action next week in the Dolphins’ Strawberry Jam Turkey Bowl tournament.
Know someone who deserves an Athlete of the Week feature? Email Justin Kline at jkline@plantcityobserver.com by the Friday before the next issue.
How were you feeling that day?
Good. It was cold, but I still played. My nose was running. I didn’t want to lose, so I played hard.
What was working for you out there that was better than normal?
Running the ball hard. My coach taught me how to hold the ball because I used to fumble the ball.
What did your coaches tell you after the game?
That I played hard and I was balling.
What other positions do you play besides running back?
Defensive end and safety.
Which is your favorite?
Running back, because it’s fun running.
How do you get ready for a football game?
We exercise and we have chants we do, but you have to scream. ‘What we gonna do? Lay that wood. Who are we? PCD.’
Do you look up to any pro or college athletes, try to run like them?
I don’t watch the NFL or college. But in high school, my brother.
What’s the best advice he gave you for football?
Hold the ball nice and tight and don’t fumble. He’s a running back.
Was this your first Superbowl?
Yes.
Were you nervous?
Yeah because I thought we were gonna lose. We were playing a good team. Their No. 5 was good.
How did you stop being nervous? You definitely stopped at some point, running like that all game.
I just ran the ball and started to score, so I said ‘It’s gonna be easy.’ It was the first touchdown… I had broken a tackle and I scored a touchdown.
Do you play any other sports?
I’m gonna play baseball next year. I played last spring.
What do you like about baseball?
Hitting the ball.
What’s your favorite class in school?
P.E. I like running and being outside.