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Titans back home on Saturday

Titans back in win column

   The Senior Titans are back in the win column, but it was a bit more of a battle than they are used to.
   A depleted Titans squad, without key offensive players and three defensive starters missing, went up against Bow Valley School of Canmore in league play last Saturday. While the Titans walked away with a 29-22 victory, it was a tough win.
“It was way too tight for my liking,” said Coach Ken Fournier following the game. “They (Canmore) definitely improved this season.”
   Last week the Titans were up against Brooks and had five turnovers. It looked like the trend was continuing as they lost the ball three times in the first quarter; twice within 10 yards of the end zone. They found themselves down 21-1 at half time.
   “At half time it sunk in to the guys that sometimes the ball isn’t going to bounce our way, they are going to have to battle back. It was a breaking point in our season and they decided to just go out there to give it all they got.”
   The Titans protected the ball better and that led to successful marches down the field.
   “This was a good character win for the guys, to persevere through it and come back and win,” said Fournier. “They played really well, and it goes to show when you battle through that stuff, it is possible you just have to keep working hard.”
   On defense Janzen Ohlhauser and Alan Lister were standouts. Quarterback Steven Robertson was able to control the game well. Joey Samoleski also shined on offense.
   The Titans have been playing a heavy exhibition schedule and it has been wreaking havoc on their squad, resulting in an injury filled team. Saturday’s game brought one more player to the sidelines.
   “If there is something wrong that could happen this season it has,” said Fournier.
   This win proves the Titans are up for the challenge.
   “It has been a series of unfortunate circumstances from week-to-week. We are so banged up… It’s something we are not used to,” said Fournier.   “The guys are doing a good job. A lot of teams would give up and accept defeat, and our guys have stepped up.”
   The Titans host Olds in their final league game this Saturday at 3 p.m.

Bantam Titans to host Innisfail Saturday in semifinal

    The Bantam Titans wrap up the season as the top seed in Tier 4 heading into the post season.
   The Titans finished the regular season with a loss to a strong Hunting Hills team out of Red Deer.
   Coach Paul Redmond knew it would be a tough game and the final score of 39-0 bears that out. However Redmond says 11 turnovers by the Titans could have been prevented.
“We could have actually scored a couple of touchdown had we sustained the drives,” said Redmond, adding that these types of mistakes can be coached through.
   “We just have to get back to the basics,” he said.
   Overall in the league the Bantam Titans finished in 9th place. This means they will be in competition with Innisfail, Sylvan Lake and Springbank for the Tier 4 championship. Because they had the best record of these team they will be hosting playoffs and have home field advantage. This will continue into provincial playoffs.
   First up for the Titans is the league Tier 4 semifinal. It will be versus Innisfail this Saturday, If they keep winning, they keep playing. .
   “We still have to go out there and play,” said coach Redmond. If we keep winning we have three more games at home.”
   “We’ll be ready.”

Minor hockey gets ready for opening weekend

    Kids from all over Drumheller are lacing up their skates, putting on their pads, and grabbing their hockey sticks for another great season of Drumheller Minor Hockey.
   The action starts next weekend, when the Central Alberta Hockey League starts its season.
   The Drumheller Minor Hockey Association is working on getting ready for the season. Since registration started at the end of August, 150 young Raptors have signed up to play, distributed across ten teams.
   The Midget Tier 3 Raptors host Blackie for their first game of the season. The game starts at 7:30 p.m. at the Drumheller Memorial Arena. The next day, they play on the road in Redcliff.
   The Midget Raptors will be looking to continue the momentum of last season, where they ended the season as league and zone champions.
   The Bantam Tier 4 Raptors, who won a league championship in a series sweep last season, will be in Hanna for their first game of the season on October 19.
   The Bantam Raptors will be in Drumheller for their first home game of the season on October 20, at 5:15 p.m. to face a squad from Fort Macleod.
   The Pee Wee Tier 2 Raptors   are on the road for their first two games of the season. The team will be in Beiseker on October 20, and Olds the following day.
   Enjoying an opening weekend at home will be the Pee Wee Tier 6 team, who host Strathmore on October 20 at 1 p.m. and Okotoks at noon the next day.
   Starting off their season at home are the Atom Tier 3 Raptors. The team faces the High River squad on October 20 at 3:15 p.m. The next day they hit the road to face Rockyford.
   The Atom Tier 6 Raptors start their season with two games at home. On October 20, they host Rockyford at 11 a.m. The following day at 10 a.m., Nanton comes to town.
   The Novice Tier 2 Raptors hit the ice for their first game on October 20 in Chestermere. The following day, they stay on the road and head to Didsbury.
   The Novice Tier 6 team play at home for their first game on the 20th, bright and early at 9 a.m. The next day they head off to Brooks.
   For the latest on the Drumheller Minor Hockey season, check out future editions of inSide Drumheller.

Drumheller native ready for second MMA fight

    Andrew Kloot, a Drumheller native, is heading into the ring for his second mixed martial arts (MMA) fight. Kloot is hoping to come out the victor once again at AFC 12 Domination on November 2 at the Telus Convention Center.
   The event is a way for Albertan fighters to showcase themselves.
   “They’re a great local event. They support a lot of local fighters and give opportunities for fighters to showcase themselves,” said Kloot.
   Kloot will be facing Christopher Gervais of Red Deer, another newcomer to the sport. Because this will be Gervais’ first fight, Kloot doesn’t know what to expect when he enters the ring. The two will be fighting in the 155 lbs. category.
   “This is his first fight, so we’re both pretty new. I don’t know much about it, so we’ll see how it goes. That’s the nature of it at the level I’m at. You can’t find much information about the people you fight. I’m just going to have to go in there and do my game plan. Try and fight my fight,” said Kloot. “I like to be prepared for everything. I’m happy with my striking and jujitsu. My wrestling could use a bit of work, but it’s coming along. I plan to be well rounded and good to go wherever the fight goes.”
   Kloot fought his first MMA fight in April of this year in Trail, British Columbia. The match only lasted for a minute. Kloot won using a triangle choke hold.
   Afterwards, he took some time off. He worked hard to get back into fighting shape and now he feels confident he’s ready.
   “I took some time after my first fight and got out of shape, so it took me awhile to get back into training properly. I started a job that I’ve been working hard at, so I had some time off,” said Kloot. “Sometimes it’s hard to get fights too, but now I have one and I’m back in shape.”
   Kloot first began training when he joined the MMA club at Mount Royal University. He then started at Champions Creed. Kloot admits the training, especially getting back into shape again, can be difficult.
   “The hardest part is to keep showing up to the MMA training classes and go to the gym everyday. You have to take your lumps to get back in shape and build your body again, It’s pretty tough, but it’s what a fighter has to do for the ring mentally,” said Kloot.
   “We try to hold back a bit, but things escalate naturally, so we can get going pretty hard by the end of training. We take care of each other, so we wear padded gloves and headgear to minimize injuries, but you have to train how you fight. If you train at 50 per cent, when you get into the fight, you only fight at 50 per cent.”
   Kloot grew up in Drumheller. In his teens, he played for the Drumheller Titans and was involved in minor hockey. Prior to starting MMA training, he had only done a little karate when he was a kid. He got interested in MMA after watching the sport on TV.
   After the fight on November 2, Kloot hopes to keep going, previously hinting he’d like a pro match someday.
   “I’m going to keep training and keep doing what I’m doing. If I come out of this one without too many physical problems then maybe I can take another fight right away,” said Kloot.

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