The Senior Titans came within seconds and inches of upsetting a tier 2 team this weekend.
On Saturday the Titans hosted Bowness School from Calgary. Bowness has a long established program in an urban Calgary league. The team was able to keep it close, even without three starters.
“They (Bowness) could move the ball well on the ground, they had big linemen, size-wise, we were out matched that’s for sure, but our guys stepped up, they responded to what the coaches challenged them to this week,” said head coach Ken Fournier. “It doesn’t matter how big or what school they come from, it’s 12 guys against 12 guys.”
“They played to the last play.”
The final score was 22-21.The Titans had a good chance to win, but they were not able to break through.
The Titans had marched the ball 70 yards to the one-yard line with three seconds left. They went for the touchdown, but officials said they didn’t’ cross the threshold.
Fournier says some have questioned the decision to go for the touchdown rather than a field goal to tie, but he said a kick from the left hand side, with a left hand kicker at the six yard line isn’t a sure thing, and because it wasn’t a league game, a tie doesn’t mean anything.
“We had to go for it, there was really no question about it,” said Fournier.
“It was in our hands. That was our message to the guys this week. You control the outcome of the game and give yourself the chance to win. Don’t take yourself out because you are playing a higher tiered team,” said Fournier. “They can’t take this one as a lost. They responded appropriately against a very big team and we gave ourselves a chance to win.”
The Titans were without Kordell Sykes, Peter Shen and Spencer Fournier, all starters. Fournier said they had some stellar performances, from other players who stepped up. Joey Samoleski filled in at running back and was able to power the ball down the field. Josh Weeteringen also had a strong game.
“He found space. These guys (Bowness) were very good at scraping the ball, and he just found space and made a couple of their linebackers look like they were rented,” said Fournier. “He is a rookie, so he is impressing his coaches every day.”
Tanner Borowicz was also a standout on offense. Tracker Robertson was a powerhouse on defense line and Alan Lister was everywhere, said coach Fournier.
The Titans will be under the Friday Night Lights in Brooks this week in another tough game. Brooks is ranked 10th at Tier 3 and are coming off a loss. Game time is 7 p.m.
