A short time before the Titans took the field to play Bow Valley from Canmore in the Big Sky League Championship, the Canmore coach may have inadvertently given the Titans a little more motivation.
The coaching staff decided to install their own upright pads to the post at their end zone and this didn’t sit well with the players, the coaches… even the bantam players. Collectively they chanted “not on our house.”
“That set the pace, the gloves were off,” said coach Ken Fournier.
The Titans are now back-to-back champions in the Big Sky Conference after tearing down Canmore with a score of 55-7.
The Titans jumped to a 13-0 lead in the first quarter and never looked back. Canmore’s touchdown came in the first, but by half time Drumheller was leading 25-7.
The onslaught continued in the second half, with the Titans scoring at will.
“Offensively that was one of the best games we ever played, and for all areas. It wasn’t just our best running game or just our best passing game, it was the best balanced game we ever had,” said coach Ken Fournier.
Defensively they were successful and even introduced a new set, apt to play against Canmore’s strengths.
“It was great time for us to use it because Canmore likes to pass the ball and this defense is designed to keep the ball in front of you,” said Fournier.
Kordell Sykes and Chase Kostelecky were stalwarts on defense for the Titans and collectively, virtually no pass went uncontested.
The only thing that seemed to hold the team back was penalties. One estimate heard at the game was they lost 235 yards on penalties. Coach Fournier said they expected the calls because they were playing aggressively.
“I thought the guys handled themselves pretty well, but there were a few I wouldn’t have liked. You are going to get the odd pass interference and hit on the quarterback, but our guys responded pretty well. When you play an aggressive style of defense we expect those things,” he said.
The team is now heading into the provincial quarterfinals and is hosting Pincher Creek this Saturday. They saw them last year in the post season and they know what to expect. In fact, it is a version of the Titans’ own offense.
“They have been scouting us for a few years and been recording our offences,” said Fournier. “Rasmussen has this close to heart because it is his offence and he is going to make sure we make a statement that the double wing offense is ours. We do have a very powerful offense whether it is running or passing, and we look to use all of our weapons.”
This season the Titans had a diverse experience playing some very tough teams along the way. Fournier says this will help them in the post season.
“We’ve played in a couple close games, and our guys understand how the ball, the time and clock move in those tight games and they are well prepared for a lot of tight situations and are relaxed about it,” said Fournier.
If the Titans get through Pincher Creek they will play the winner of Claresholm and Ardrossan for the semifinal. The final will be played out in Edmonton.
Game time is at 1:30 p.m. and it is a special weekend as the bantams are also playing in the South Final versus Medicine Hat. The bantam’s time is 11 a.m.
