Howard senior running back Gerald Wiggins rushed 20 times for 94 yards as Howard defeated St. Georges 28-13 in the DIAA Division II championship game last Saturday night at Delaware Stadium.
GERALD WIGGINS, senior running back, Howard football
THE WEEK: Rushed 20 times for 94 yards as Howard defeated St. Georges 28-13 in the DIAA Division II championship game last Saturday night at Delaware Stadium.
THE DOUBTERS: “A lot of people doubted us the whole season, said we weren’t going to win it,” Wiggins said. “So that was pretty much motivation. We came in here, played strong, played with the same intensity all game.”
THE TURNAROUND: St. Georges beat Howard 35-14 in the second week of the regular season. This time, Wiggins popped a 40-yard gain on the Wildcats’ first drive, and William Morgan scored on a 1-yard run to give them confidence early. “The first time we played them, the run game really didn’t work that much,” Howard quarterback Earnest Austin said. “Tonight, I think our line stepped up in the blocking, and they created some holes for Gerald.”
THE TOUGHNESS: “He doesn’t complain much,” Howard coach Dan Ritter said of Wiggins. “He’s had some bumps and bruises, had a dislocated finger in one game and played through it. He’s just been an exceptional guy.”
THE GROUND GAME: St. Georges is known for running the ball almost exclusively, often throwing fewer than five passes per game. But in the title game, Howard rushed 47 times for 202 yards, while holding the Hawks to 42 carries for 156 yards. “They said they were going to run, so we decided to run, too,” Wiggins said. “Because we’ve got a good ground and pound, too. We kind of matched it up.”
THE LEADERSHIP: The Wildcats won with several sophomores playing big roles, but the seniors leading the way. “I’m definitely a leader,” Wiggins said. “I’m a senior, so I’m a role model to some of the younger kids. Hopefully, they see from this and grow on it.”
Howard senior running back Gerald Wiggins rushed 20 times for 94 yards as Howard defeated St. Georges 28-13 in the DIAA Division II championship game last Saturday night at Delaware Stadium.
THE FIRST: Howard had won 41 state championships in various sports, but this was the school’s first in football. “It’s a great feeling. We made history,” Wiggins said. “Coach stressed it a lot, go out here and make history, and we made it.”
THE CLASSROOM: “I like science,” Wiggins said. “Doing projects, working in groups.”
THE FUTURE: Wiggins hopes to continue playing football in college, but has yet to decide on a destination.
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Running back Gerald Wiggins carried 20 times for 94 yards in Howard’s 28-13 victory over St. Georges in the DIAA Division II championship game.