Sophomore football player Marcus Howard had a rough start to the season.

Howard is #76, and plays as an offensive guard on the team. He said it requires him to be “very technical, but strong at the same time”.

Although he isn’t the first sophomore to make a varsity sports team, he did play a big part in the team’s lineup. Howard had been on the varsity team’s radar since freshman year.

“Since last year, as a freshman, I’ve gotten to practice with them, so they already knew about me,” Howard said. “I just had to keep working harder and harder and eventually I got the spot.”

After training hard freshman year and all summer, he suffered a very damaging injury.

During the first game of the season, a player from Brownsburg went to tackle a Ben Davis running back. However, he missed and ran right into the side of Howard’s leg.

“It just kind of folded in from the side,” said Howard referring to his injury.

The initial diagnosis was a dislocated kneecap, but after further doctor visits, it became a strained MCL. Howard hopes to back in the lineup before the end of the season.

“We all get bumps and bruises, but I wouldn’t call those big injuries,” Howard said. “You just put some ice on it and go back out there.”

He noted how many players in similar positions have recurring knee problems, but they know when to hold back. Although Howard had to sit out multiple games after that inconvenience, he’s hoping to get back up and playing again in the next few games.

The Giants host Carmel tonight for the annual homecoming game.