BRIDGETON — Trust in his legs and faith in his receivers enabled Bridgeton quarterback Dante Howell Jr. to lead his team to a breakthrough victory over rival Cumberland Friday night.
The senior ran for one touchdown, threw for another and made several key plays in between to help the Bulldogs lock down a 21-7 win over the Colts, Bridgeton's first victory over Cumberland since 2021.
"It feels good, man. It feels like we've been working so hard for this, especially over the summer," Howell Jr. said. "I really feel like our team came together and played together. We've been treating every practice, every game, every session in the classroom like a championship. Win today: that was my mantra for the week, coming into this homecoming and beating our rivals. I'm proud of our guys…super proud."
Bridgeton lifted its record to 4-2 and snapped a three-game losing streak against the Colts (4-2). Particularly stinging for Bridgeton was the 28-20 loss to Cumberland a season ago.
"We were just mad. We should have won last year, coach Dominique Williams said. "This is a good win to have in front of our fans. Some of the Cumberland kids live in Bridgeton so it's a rivalry. That's a good team, a well-coached team, and I have a ton of respect for them."
Plans for victory were set in motion by Howell Jr., who sprinted nine yards into the end zone less than two minutes into the contest, providing Bridgeton a 7-0 edge.
"I just trust my speed," Howell Jr. said. "I do track during the spring and the winter so I felt like it was an opportunity for me to open up the passing game and the running game by making myself a threat."
That he did. Later on in the third quarter, he threw a strike to Jah'Zeer Thompson on a crossing route, with Thompson stretching the ball over the goal line for the final few inches of a 22-yard touchdown and a 14-0 Bulldog lead.
"That's my boy, man," said a smiling Howell Jr. afterward. "I go at him because I know he has it. I go at him all the time. He's a hard worker. I just trust my teammates. We work together and I'm proud of them."
The Bulldogs had other sustained drives but would like to do a better job at finishing.
Ultimately, it was a big step for Bridgeton and its senior QB. Howell Jr. found five different receivers on the night for 146 yards through the air.
"He's definitely matured," Williams said. "He's stepping up."
Bridgeton junior Aaron Eubanks put the finishing touch on a sterling effort by the defense, returning a Cumberland fumble 26 yards for a touchdown that made it 21-7 with three minutes to play. Eubanks also had a sack and was a lurking presence for the Bulldog defense.
V.J. McKoy grinded out 79 yards on the ground for the Bulldogs. He was a big reason Bridgeton dominated in plays from scrimmage, by a 63-41 count.
On the very first play from scrimmage, Bridgeton middle linebacker Jayden Barnett raced into the Cumberland backfield and recovered a fumbled snap. It immediately tilted control to the Bulldogs and they never relinquished it.
Four plays later, Howell Jr. dashed into the end zone to put Bridgeton in front for good.
The Colts used a little razzle dazzle for their lone score, with running back Laron Adams throwing to a wide-open Troy Collins for a 37-yard touchdown that cut the deficit to 14-7 early in the fourth quarter. However, Bridgeton's defense would put the game out of reach.
Cumberland (2-1 in the WJFL Liberty) gets ready for a Friday night matchup with Deptford at 6. Bridgeton (2-1 in the WJFL Memorial) will host Absegami at 7.
Kev Hunter is a freelance reporter for the Courier-Post. He can be reached by email at [email protected]