Howze, Lewisville Stun Defending Class A Champ Abbeville

Jed Blackwell November 14, 2025 @ 11:54 PM

ABBEVILLE | [player_tooltip player_id='1267330' first='Jacorreun' last='Howze'] said he didn't know his number was going to be called on a crucial two-point conversion.   His coach said there was never any doubt.   No matter how the decision came about, it was a good one. Howze scored three touchdowns and notched the game-winning conversion with just 25 seconds to go as Lewisville beat Abbeville in a 29-28 thriller to advance to the third round of the Class A playoffs.   "I definitely want the ball in that situation," Howze said. "I know I'm going to score with it. I didn't know we were going for two, but when coach calls your name, you've got to make a play.":   Lewisville coach Trent Usher said he definitely knew the name he was going to call.   "No. 6 was getting the ball," he said.   The Lions overcame a 14-point deficit in a wild fourth quarter, as both of Howze's rushing touchdowns came in the frame. Trailing 28-14, an errant punt snap gave Lewisville a chance when they took possession at the Abbeville 6-yard line. Howze took just one play to score, and that's when Usher made up his mind on what would happen down the stretch.   "When we scored that first time (in the quarter), I got on the headset and told them if we got a stop, to get a two-point play ready," he said. "I told them to get the ball to 6. There was no doubt who it was going to. He carried us all year. Big time players make big time plays in big time games, and he did that tonight."   The Lions nearly didn't make it. They allowed the Panthers to march to the 20-yard line, but forced a turnover on downs on a couple of clutch plays by [player_tooltip player_id='1820264' first='JB' last='Buchanan'] and a crucial pass deflection from [player_tooltip player_id='1165159' first='Jordan' last='Strong']. Then QB [player_tooltip player_id='1822769' first='Jalen' last='Culp'] went to work, rushing for gains of 24 and nine yards before finding AJ Price for 31 yards to set up Howze's heroics. Culp threw two TD passes and played well in just his sixth start at QB.   "The poise he had in the pocket all night," Usher said. "He was under pressure all night, and the key throws he made, to have the poise not to run, he's a playmaker. Hats off to him."   The way the Lions played, particularly early, wasn't reflected on the scoreboard. Despite marching down the field in the first half, Lewisville had nothing to show for it as they trailed 14-0 at the half. That was thanks to a pair of takeaways by Abbeville as Jovareon Dixon snagged a tipped interception and returned it 28 yards for a score, and [player_tooltip player_id='1822461' first='Jaylen' last='Baylor'] came away with a fumble recovery that stopped Lewisville's best drive of the first half.   The deficit also had a lot to do with Abbeville's rushing attack. Five different Abbeville players had carries in the first half, with 32 carries for 129 yards. Lewisville's defense stood strong for the most part, allowing Abbeville to move between the 20s, but forcing multiple punts and two turnovers on downs. Strong had an interception, Jaysean Culp had a crucial sack, Howze came all the way across the field to break up a pass that looked like a sure score, and both [player_tooltip player_id='1639690' first='Eden' last='Gaston'] and Trey Cannon had tackles for loss.   The Panthers didn't really get rolling until the last drive of the first half. With 3:33 left in the half, Abbeville took over at their own 20 and drove 80 yards, all of it on the ground. [player_tooltip player_id='1700046' first='Darius' last='Riley'] had 19 yards on the drive, MiDarius Burton had 32, and [player_tooltip player_id='1816951' first='Jaden' last='Baylor'] had nine tough yards, including a one-yard score. Baylor had a phenomenal game for the Panthers, with a 34-yard TD catch, a crucial 24-yard fourth down completion, and two rushing touchdowns to go with 113 yards on the ground.

ABBEVILLE | Jacorreun Howze Jacorreun Howze 5'9" | 175 lbs | WR Lewisville | 2026 State SC said he didn't know his number was going to be called on a crucial two-point conversion.