Lampeter-Strasburg quarterback Caileb Howse puts up crazy numbers to take down Twin Valley
Caileb Howse's teammates tried to tell everyone back in August. Lampeter-Strasburg's new starting quarterback had a chance to be special.
There was evidence to support those claims through the first eight weeks. Then came the showdown against Twin Valley. The numbers are hard to believe.
Howse rushed for 334 yards and seven touchdowns and passed for another score to lead L-S to a 62-14 victory in a Lancaster-Lebanon League Section Four football game at Lampeter Friday night.
One of the most highly-anticipated matchups of the season turned into a rout. The score sent shocked face emojis bouncing around social media.
Carson Zook, the center, was one of those L-S players vouching for his QB during the preseason. This performance was what Zook had in mind.
"I knew he had it in him," Zook said. "I didn't know when it would come out. He's one of the most athletic people on the team. One of the most athletic people I know."
L-S (6-0 L-L, 9-0) will face Wyomissing in a battle for the section championship on the road next Saturday. Another "game of the year" is on the horizon for the Pioneers.
Howse broke free for rushing touchdowns of 26, 56 and 56 yards in the first quarter as L-S built a 28-0 lead. He added rushing TDs of 67, 19 and 18 yards before intermission. A 3-yard score in the second half was the cherry on top.
There were some nifty runs for the 6-foot, 200-pound senior, who has a rare combination of size and speed. There were also some runs where no one was close to touching him.
L-S dominated up front behind an offensive line featuring Zook, guards Javon Brisma and Elijah Hawley and tackles Collin Shelley and Thad Wolf. There were moments when Howse was given so much space it looked like a practice drill.
"It just shows how much we've improved," Howse said. "All the gaps. The teamwork we have. The chemistry we have together is amazing."
The night got even better for the o-line when Zook was named homecoming king at halftime. He showed up for the announcement wearing his No. 60 jersey with a crown and sash.
The first hint of where this game was headed came on Twin Valley's first possession. L-S created three consecutive negative plays, including a hard hit by Dominic Brown and a sack by Jai Steberger, to force a turnover on downs.
The second hint, an even more emphatic one, came when Brown demolished one of Twin Valley's defensive backs with a block to spring Howse for his first 56-yard touchdown.
No one hits harder than L-S. No one swarms faster to the ball.
The Pioneers generated three turnovers. Aven Cunningham and Christian Nolt grabbed interceptions and Steberger recovered a fumble.
"I was probably the most nervous I've ever been in my life," Nolt said. "I was shaking before the game. After the first quarter, I was like, 'What is going on right now?' That's the result, though."
Twin Valley (4-2, 7-2) has dropped two in a row after starting the season with seven consecutive wins and being ranked No. 1 in one state poll. The Raiders played without leading rusher Evan Johnson.
Brown finished with 156 yards and the only touchdown that wasn't connected to Howse. L-S produced 546 yards on the ground.
Howse reached 1,000 yards passing and rushing for the season. It's an exclusive club that highlights his talent and versatility.
"He's crazy," Nolt said. "He's probably the best quarterback I've ever seen for us. We've always believed in him. We knew he was our guy."
L-S tried to tell people about Howse. Now there's no choice but to listen.
