The grind doesn’t stop with this championship-winning program. The back-to-back Mid-Eastern Atlantic Conference (MEAC) football champions are focused on securing a third consecutive conference title.
Having taken full possession of the seat atop the conference hierarchy, this team will start the season with the biggest target on their back in recent memory.
The high-powered Bison offense has been the main engine in the wins gathered over the past two seasons and figures to continue to propel the team forward. The offensive line has been credited with the success of the Bison, with players like Anim Dankwah and Seth Hawkins creating a clean pocket for quarterback Quinton Williams during drives, securing touchdowns was a routine for the team.
“Year by year we have a good front, it takes all the other guys but just having a good o-line (offensive line) is what has been so big for our success the past two seasons,” said running back Jarett Hunter, who will return as a graduate student this fall.
The defense has equally contributed to the overall efficiency of the team. Constant communication on defense is important for the success of the team, with players like Darrian Brokenburr, the team was able to navigate the opposing team’s offense, forcing interceptions and securing tackles.
When asked what the key to an efficient defense is, defensive back Kenny Gallop Jr., a health science graduate student from Richmond, Virginia, responded, “The first thing is communication; a quiet defense can definitely hurt you.”
The biggest reason for this unprecedented run by the Bison, however, might be on the sideline. Everything changed in 2020 when Larry Scott was announced as the new head coach. Under his expertise, the team has grown into a championship-winning program.
Prior to Scott’s arrival, ending the coaching carousel that saw three men serve as head coach in as many seasons, the team was at a low.
Previous head coach Ron Prince resigned following an investigation into verbal abuse allegations made by a player. That season, Howard finished an unimpressive 2-10 (2-6), leading to Scott’s hiring. The program has progressed within four years and looks to continue due to the tenacity of the team and the standard of excellence it holds.
In 2022, the team secured a share of the MEAC regular season title, the first championship since 1993. The following year the team captured another MEAC title and made their first-ever appearance at the Celebration Bowl where they faced the Florida A&M University Rattlers but lost to the team with a score of 30-26.
The crowning achievement of the season was two Bison players, Dankwah and Ian Wheeler, being signed as free agents in the NFL, with Dankwah now being a Philadelphia Eagle and Wheeler a Chicago Bear. The team has seen success after success over the past two seasons and does not plan to stop there.
“We’re building a foundation of not just being a good football team but learning how to be a really good championship program,” said Scott.
With key components of the team in the past few seasons such as Dankwah, Hawkins, Brokenburr and Williams now graduated, it leaves roles on both offense and defense to be filled.
“I do believe that you know, the OGs show the young guys the ropes,” Gallop Jr. said. “And then once we leave…they’ll be the OGs and there will be more young guys.”
The first game of the season is on Aug. 29 at 6 p.m. against Big 10 school Rutgers University.
Copy edited by Camiryn Stepteau
