It is a win that will go down in Drumheller sports history.
The Titans managed to wrest away the crown from the Ardrossan Bisons in overtime to win the Tier 4 provincial championship for the first time in the team’s history.
And for the first time in history head coach Ken Fournier and the rest of the coaching staff were silenced.
“After the game, and the team was celebrating the coaches were in a huddle, and we couldn’t even speak, none of us, we were just looking a each other,” said head coach Ken Fournier. “We didn’t know how to react to it. It is something you don’t get to experience that often.”
What was not silent was the enthusiastic crowd that made the trek by bus and by car to the championship game in Lethbridge last Friday night. For those who didn’t make the game, they watched the live feed online, listened to the radio or waited for live updates via text and social media. The community learned in myriad ways of the result. For those who witnessed the game, the battle was worth seeing.
And it was a battle from beginning to end, with the score seesawing. Casualties took their toll on the Titans.
“We played that entire second half with only three Grade 12’s on defense,” said Fournier.
Veterans Kyle Smith and Dale Poulsen were both knocked out of the game with head injuries, and Jason Johnson injured his shoulder. The rest of the team stood strong and held a one-touchdown lead down the stretch. The Bisons scored a late touchdown to put them in the lead. The Titans marched it back down to within field goal range.
“We kicked for the field goal but we missed it. It bounced into the end zone. Their player knew that he had to get it out and he went for a run and we ended up tackling him about a yard shy of clearing the end zone which gave us a single point to tie it,” said Fournier. “It was our kicker and quarterback that made the tackle.”
This tied the two teams at 34, and forced overtime.
Braden Scriven continued his assault on the Bisons and carried it home for the winning touchdown. The Bisons were not able to score, and the Titans walked of the field with a 41-34 win.
“The players battled against a very physical team. I saw more bloody noses in that single game than I have seen in the last three years. They were warriors,” said Fournier.
The win was special for players as well as the Titans organization, which started from an idea in the mid ‘90s, and in 1996 put their first team on the field. Coach Fournier began as a Bantam Titan in 1998, went on to play as a senior and then coach.
It was especially meaningful for Jason Blanke, who helped to found the team.
“I am so proud to be a Drumheller Titan today,” said Blanke. “Congratulations to the current Titans and to the Titans Alumni, this is what we have worked so hard to get to.”
Kellie Smith is another vocal member of the organization, and she was elated with the result.
“Everyone from Drumheller can be so proud of how our boys played so hard and left everything they had and then some on the field... through major injuries, cold weather and OT, our boys pushed through and showed their true character. We must thank our coaches and managers but also the parents and community for helping these boys get here,” she said.
The Titans brought home the top prize in a season that they were only expecting modest results. The team looks promising for years to come with the talent entrenched already as well as strong players coming up from the Bantam ranks. Spencer Fournier, who ran for 279 yards last Friday is only in Grade 10. Other players stepped up in the heat of battle.
“Alan Lister, he’s in Grade 10 and he led that defense for most of the game,” said Fournier.
“As long as we fill those spots that are left empty, those key holes on defense and linemen, and if they play effectively, we’ll have another good season,” said Fournier.
