The rivalry football game between the Brighton Bulldogs and the Howell Highlanders will take place this Friday, Oct 9 at Brighton High School. This game comes after the Highlanders took down the Milford Mavericks in last Friday’s Homecoming game, 31-14.

This game could be seen as more important than the rivalry’s most recent match ups, as this holds division title implications. Both teams are going into the game at 5-1, with Brighton’s sole loss to Hartland and Howell’s to Grand Blanc.

“We expect [Brighton’s] best game they have played all year,” Howell head coach Aaron Metz says. “They’re a good team with a 5-1 record.”

Howell controls its own destiny, only needing to win against Brighton to win the division title, but in order for Brighton to win the division championship, Brighton has to win and Hartland has to lose. Both Howell and Brighton can clinch a playoff berth with a win.

Some HHS players are looking forward to a date with their biggest rivals.

“I’m really excited,” junior running back Joey Gossett says. “This is my first game on varsity in this rivalry and I can’t wait to play.”

Howell looks to keep possession of the Little Brown Jug, the trophy that goes to the winner of this rivalry game, which Howell won last year.

“We really want to keep that trophy because it is a big symbol of our rivalry,” junior receiver and outside linebacker Logan Russo says. “We want the bragging rights and we also really want to win and spoil their Homecoming.”

Howell’s Homecoming game was last Friday against Milford. The Highlanders won 31-14 after overcoming a 14-10 halftime deficit. Milford is at the bottom of the KLAA Lakes West Division, posting an 0-6 record.

The Highlanders look to capitalize on the momentum from their Homecoming game and use it to their advantage against a Brighton team looking to overcome its first loss of the year last week.
“Coming off of a win is always a good thing,” Metz says. “It helps build momentum, especially when it is Homecoming.”