FLINT — Grand Blanc’s Chad Howe of the United States Football Alliance’s Michigan Admirals has taken a hard-nosed approach to the 2008 season, resulting in the 5-foot-11, 200 pound defensive back becoming the team’s second-leading tackler with 26 stops. He also has one interception and wears number 33. Linebacker Walter Jackson currently is the team’s leading tackler with 29.

Highlights for Howe this season include a game-high five tackles this past Saturday as Michigan traveled to Ada, defeating the Dark Knights, 42-6. On July 19 the third-year player had four stops in a 34-18 home loss to the Ohio Outlawz and in a heart-breaking 30-28 defeat in Battle Creek against the Blaze on July 12, the former Bobcat made six tackles while nabbing his lone pick of the campaign to tie for the team lead.

Also playing defensive back for the Admirals this year is Grand Blanc graduate Mike Thomas, a fourth-year player who stands in at 5-foot-11, 210 pounds. Thomas, who wears number 31 for Michigan, has 13 tackles this season, including three at Ada last Saturday.

Against Ohio the former Bobcat made a season-high five defensive stops and on July 12 he made four tackles against Battle Creek.

Thomas also spent some time earlier this year on the offensive side of the ball, returning one kickoff for 25 yards and carrying the ball 12 times for 38 yards. Against Ada, Thomas had two carries for six yards.

A win last weekend raised the Admirals’ record to 3-4. They next play Saturday when they host the West Michigan Force. — M.S.

More Tips