Howard High School football looking to bounce back after 0-10 season

CHATTANOOGA, Tennessee (WDEF)- Howard football had a tough season last year going 0-10.

“We had some things that worked well. It was Murphy’s Law type deal and what could go wrong did,” said Coach Dedric Maffett.

This is Maffett’s first full offseason since he wasn’t hired until not long before the season started.

“To have the fall and spring, we actually, this year was the first year we probably had a spring game ever. I can’t remember Howard actually having a spring game and we actually had a spring game against East Hamilton around may that we actually played in and had enough people to play. We just work with what we got with the tools we have,” said Maffett.

Howard only has 35 kids on the team so that makes it tough for when they face teams with 75 to over 100 players.

“We have consistently about 28 players a practice every day. We half-lining it and that’s including the ninth graders. Like I said every time we compete in the five a region it’s like David versus Goliath-like deal. The kids be a little intimidating for our guys when they look on the other side of the 80, 90 players,” said Maffett.

“Basically every morning it’s like OK coaches is here’s what we’re gonna do today, this, this, and this. Two hours later so Coach so and so won’t be there so we’re just gonna practice today right, cool let’s go. I have chicken when he’s not at work,” said Offensive Coordinator Damon Smith.

They say they are focused on making them a better group of people not just football players.