The stage is set for a repeat of last year’s Tier IV provincial football final and the Titans are in the thick of it.
The senior Titans football team steamrolled a competent Willow Creek squad to qualify for the championship this coming Saturday, 11 a.m., at the University of Alberta Foote Field.
“It was a good game. They still played really well, and had a few good drives on us, they came out and ran a balanced game, but our defense didn’t want anything to go into the end zone,” said head coach Ken Fournier.
The Titans prepared well for Willow Creek School and came out running. They drew first blood and, save for one touchdown, kept the Willow Creek team off the scoreboard.
Coach Fournier said the Titans took pride in their defense effort on their way to at 47-7 win.
“The seven points they gave up were on special teams,” said Fournier. “They got into our red zone three time and the defense shut them down. This was a great game for everybody on defense…they (Willow Creek) had a couple big plays but other than that we were pretty stingy.”
On offence the Titans had a balanced attack scoring in the air and on the ground. Michael Cameron was a standout with two touchdowns on the pass, as well as a number of completions. On defense he has a couple sacks as well.
“He was a beast out there, he was everywhere he needed to be,” said Fournier.
He respects Willow Creek.
“They were a team that were really coming on towards the end of the year,” said Fournier. “They were ready for us and came out of the locker room running. They wanted to go to Edmonton.”
For the final it seems like déjà vu. Ardrossan was expected to be back, and in fact they were looking forward to seeing Drumheller if they returned.
“Defensively I am more comfortable playing a team I know. Offensively we have a lot of tools. We have become a pretty balanced offense and we can move the ball in all areas,” said Fournier. “Ardrossan is going to be a good opponent, they didn’t get to the same game for no reason. The rematch is exciting. We talked to the guys about it. They (Ardrossan) are going to come out wanting it. They don’t want to lose to us twice, and they will be prepared. They were commenting before their regular season started, that if they made it, we are the team they want to play.”
He says the team is good shape. While a rock hard frozen field added to the bumps and bruises for the Titans, Fournier says they are relatively intact. They lost Janzen Ohlhauser to injury, and while Spencer Fournier was on the bench versus Claresholm, he is expected back for the provincial championships.
“Playing on the hard turf had us banged up, we have a couple guys with cuts and scrapes and sore backs, but nothing that bad. With playing in the cold weather it doesn’t take much,” said Fournier.
The final is this Saturday at Foote Field at the University of Alberta at 11 a.m. Fournier is looking forward.
“As soon as you know you are going to the big game it feels good and pressure is off. We are looking forward to it and we will go out there and do the best we can. We will leave it all out on the field,” said Fournier.
Get on the bus and cheer for the Titans
This season it truly seemed like the Titans has an extra man on the field through playoffs, and the hope to bring him to Edmonton.
The Titans were in the fortunate position of having home field advantaged through its league playoffs and then the provincials. The fan support was incredible with great turnouts on even the most blustery of days. A squad of cheerleaders also got into the act this season.
Drumheller Football would like to recreate this home field advantage and take as many fans as they can to Edmonton this Saturday November 24 to watch the Titans defend their provincial championship.
Lynn Hemming said they have a fan bus organized to head to the game Saturday. It will be leaving from DVSS on Saturday at 6 a.m.
Tickets to ride are $40 and available to students and the public alike. To get one of the spots on the bus, sign up at the DVSS office. Book your seat now because space is limited.
