CINCINNATI — Edgewood High’s Lincoln Howell made it perfectly clear.
“We practiced on a whole new level this week,” said Howell, a senior running back. “There was something about this week of practice that told us we needed this one.”
And the visiting Cougars got it on Friday — a 35-0 trouncing of Southwest Ohio Conference rival Northwest.
The Cougars (2-2, 1-0 SWOC) were riding a two-game losing streak following a blanking against Badin. But, Edgewood coach Scott Clemmons said “this is new life. It’s conference play now.
“It was one of those things where we talked with the kids,” Clemmons added. “You’ve got the first three weeks of the season, and then you’ve got league play. It’s league play, you’ve got a new season, and things have to change.
“We challenged them this week, and the players responded well to it.”
Howell ran wild from the start, amassing 136 yards and two scores in the first half to set the night’s tone.
Edgewood’s smothering defense didn’t allow Northwest much breathing, as the Knights worked in their own territory for a healthy portion of the contest.
Howell scampered away on a 65-yard score midway through the first quarter to give the Cougars an early advantage they wouldn’t let go of.
He found the end zone two more times, while Edgewood quarterback Anthony Scott plunged in for two of his own to round out the scoring.
“We looked at everything, but we initially looked as coaches first to see what we need to do to get better,” Clemmons said of his squad’s two losses to Franklin and Badin.
“These guys have it. They play together as a group,” Clemmons added. “Bad things and good things happen in games. When those bad things happen, you don’t have time to sit there and ponder those.
“It’s like a pitcher in a game — you give up a home run, it’s going to happen, you’ve got to pitch that next pitch. You’ve got to play that next play.”
Northwest (0-4), 0-1 SWOC) was led by quarterback Logan Lawson, who tossed for 88 yards.
The Cougars host Harrison next Friday, while Northwest welcomes Aiken.