Anyone think Howlrunner and two recon firesprays would still be good?

If you fly it right, sure. If you're managing to find a way to screw up with two damage sponges and synergy, I don't precisely know what to tell you that'd help.

I think more common is

Kressis Trellix

-->Recon Specialist

-->HLC

Howlrunner

3x Academy Pilot

Honestly I think at this point a Doom Shuttle or Bomber with Ordnance are more common. Howlrunner isn't the best fit for those remaining points anymore.

Hell, two tie fighters are probably better as well.

I tried to fly a similar list

Krassis and a Shuttle, both with HLC and Jonus.

It was basically like running them with howelrunner except I get to re-roll two dice and start our with four.

Granted the Shuttle isn't nearly as manuverable as a firespray, but I found that two big ships flying in formation (in asteroids) is really difficult.

You said "still" as if to imply that in the past your list was competative. I don't think there is any reason why it is less competative now. Try putting a tactician on your Firespray to really screw with Phantoms, maybe even an ion cannon. I find that if you can ionize a phantom and stress it. It should be dead the next turn.