The Howell Highlanders continued their impressive season with a commanding 36-14 victory over rival Brighton on Friday night, retaining the Little Brown Jug for the second consecutive year. Senior running back Justin Jones once again dominated the rivalry, scoring four touchdowns for the second straight year. Jones ran for three touchdowns and caught a 20-yard touchdown pass, adding to his legacy after his four-touchdown, 227-yard performance in last year’s 43-7 victory.

While Jones was the star, sophomore Bryce Kish also showcased his potential. Kish scored Howell’s final touchdown with a 30-yard run and added a two-point conversion earlier in the game. He’s proven to be a strong lead blocker for Jones while making key plays himself.

Junior quarterback Preston Barb also contributed, completing 6 of 13 passes for 128 yards and a touchdown, as the Bulldogs focused on stopping Howell’s ground attack.

A pivotal moment came in the third quarter when Howell, leading 22-7, faced a fourth-and-1 on their own 11-yard line. After initially lining up to punt, the Highlanders called timeout and decided to go for it. Jones powered through for the first down, allowing Howell to drain over eight minutes from the clock.

Howell’s victory marks the first time they’ve defeated Brighton in back-to-back seasons since 2007-2010. Now 8-0 for the first time since 1963, the Highlanders will face top-ranked Belleville in the Kensington Lakes Activities Association championship game next Friday at home.

This article is based on reporting by Bill Khan, Livingston Daily.