Photo by Patricia O’Blenes Clawson High senior Howard Crippen ended his high school career with the most touchdowns in school history. He signed to play football with the University of Pennsylvania. He is pictured here sporting a pink jersey during a cancer awareness charity game.

By Christian Davis
C & G Sports Writer

Clawson High senior Howard Crippen knew the day would come.

“In first-grade, when I started playing flag football, I always dreamed of earning a scholarship and playing football somewhere,” Crippen said. “Just because I love football so much and put so much time and effort into it, I thought it would happen some day.”

Crippen’s premonition came true Feb. 3, when the running back signed his National Letter of Intent to play for the University of Pennsylvania.

“It felt good to know I accomplished something I wanted to since I was a little kid,” Crippen said. “It’s a great, prestigious school and football program. I liked the city of Philadelphia; I liked everything about it. After I went there, I knew it was the school for me.”

For the past three seasons, Crippen has been a fixture in Clawson’s varsity lineup, but coach Jim Sparks said he knew of Crippen’s potential long before then.

“You kind of had an idea when he was in middle school. He was so fast and just one of those tough kids,” Sparks said. “When he was in eighth-grade, he was the best kid I had seen in a long time, and when he got into high school, I realized his grades were going to be fine and he had good character. Over time, you knew he was going to be a pretty special player for us.”

As a senior, Crippen rushed 121 times for 1,022 yards and 11 touchdowns. He also had 28 receptions for 612 yards and eight scores, along with a total of 567 yards on 26 kick returns.

Defensively, he had 75 tackles, three sacks, four interceptions and four fumble recoveries.

In his career, Crippen holds the mark for most touchdowns and longest play from scrimmage — a 98-yard touchdown reception against Marine City High this season.

Sparks said Crippen’s greatest attributes are his speed and competitive drive.

“He is truly one of those guys that leads by example,” Sparks said. “In the weight room, if he said he was going to do 25 reps and he was at 23, you were worried that he was going to hurt himself because you couldn’t get him out from under the bar until he got to 25.”

Listed at 5 feet 10 inches and 168 pounds, Sparks said Crippen could have stood out at any position, except kicker, the coach joked.

“I would say that Howard was the best all-around player (Clawson has had) that could play any position on the field. He’s tough enough to play guard,” Sparks said. “You’d be amazed by all the different things he can do on the football field.”

Sparks believes that soon, Penn fans will be too.

You can reach Sports Writer Christian Davis at cdavis@candgnews.com or at (586) 498-1062.