The DFC: It’s On

Before my current writing life, there was The Hilltop, Howard University’s and the Nation’s Oldest Black Collegiate Newspaper, where many of the questions and themes I still explore first found their voice. What follows are my early published works, preserved in their original form.

From The Hilltop Archives

Originally published in The Hilltop, Howard University — September 7th, 2004

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The DFC: It’s On

The last time the Bison were in the Midwest was in August of 2001 as the played the Jackson State Tigers in the Windy City Classic at Soldier Field. In the year following, Chicago wasn't able to host the classic because of renovations to Solider Field. Last year, it was Detroit who took the reigns of the Midwest classic and started the inaugural Detroit Football Classic. With the idea from Lions defensive end Robert Porcher and the help of businessmen Frank Taylor and John Graves, the kickoff of the classic began with Alabama State University against FAMU. 

 

This year's showdown between Howard and Alabama State marked the second annual DFC and Head Coach Rayford Petty couldn't have asked for a better opening season game.

 

"It was a great opportunity for Howard to come to Detroit," Coach Petty said.

 

Playing at the DFC wasn't just a boost for Howard, but for senior defensive back Ronald Bartell, Jr., freshman place kicker Justin Brantley, freshman defensive back Joe Claiborne, sophomore defensive linemen Edwin Piner and junior offensive lineman Andrae Townsel who all represent Detroit, it was a chance for them to make their city and school proud. 

 

"It was a great experience," Bartell said. "This is one of the best classics in the country, if not the best." 

 

Hometown love aside, Bartell stopped the Hornets' first drive of the game and made Gilmore and his family proud, after intercepting a Tarvari Jackson pass on the Bison 10 yard line.

 

The Bison felt the Hornets' sting after Rock Dillon blacked a Noam Dror punt that set up Keldri Williams for an eight-yard touchdown run. Howard ended their third possession with a punt and Jackson capped off a seven-play 79-yard drive with a 48-yard pass to Clayton Harris. 

 

Being down by 14 and their offense struggling to get anything started, it took the Bison four plays and 1:36 to go 59 yards for a 13-yard rushing touchdown by Roland Colbert. But the highlight of the drive came as Marcos Moreno aired one out to Jarahn Williams - who finished the game with a career high four receptions and 110 yard - for 45-yard completion.

 

Going into the half down 14-6 , six Bison points because of a blocked extra point, the Bison exchanged punts with the Hornets. With a target on Williams from his reception in the first half, Melvin Screen intercepted another potential Moreno-to-Williams connection that led to a field goal. 

 

The interception was just the beginning of trouble for the Bison who turned the ball over four more times. 

 

"Lack of focus," is how Coach Petty described his team's second half play. "We didn't protect the football. It's all about momentum. Not taking anything from [Alabama State], our miscues were our own fault with turnovers deep in our territory."

 

It was the defense who tried to keep the Bison close, allowing two field goals on three attempts. 

 

"That's how we practice, if the offense turns the ball over, we got to go back out and stop them even with our backs to the wall," explained defensive back Antoine Bethea.

 

But the Hornets were too much as Jackson tested 6 foot 2 inch Bartell Jr. against 6 foot 6 inch Lorenzo Hoffman for the touchdown.

 

Anthony Bobcombe showed that the Bison defense wasn't done when he intercepted Jackson's replacement Nick Fortson and took it 64 yards to the Alabama six yard line after running out of steam.

 

For Bartell, the 27-12 lost is a distant memory. "We'll bounce back," he stated. "I am already thinking about the next game."

 

Petty said that work needs to be done, not much, but work nonetheless.

 

"We have to be more focused, work on some of the small things. We didn't have the opportunities because we were turning the ball over."

 

Next week the Bison will have to be focused as the heated rivalry between Hampton ignites again, this time in Hampton.

 

"We played well, but I haven't seen our best," Bartell said.