Sports | DrumhellerMail

Bantams set sights on Hunting Hills

    The Bantam Titans were caught off guard by a strong Strathmore team last Saturday, but are in good shape heading down the stretch of the season.
   The Titans were in Strathmore to take on the Spartans. Going in to the game, coach Paul Redmond felt the teams were evenly matched, but Strathmore was the better team on this day. With a strong offense and the ability to capitalize on seven fumbles, Strathmore ran away with a 32-0 win.
“They were a lot stronger this year,” said Redmond explaining Strathmore came out fighting, and the Titans couldn’t match their offense.
   The shell-shocked Titans regrouped and defensively, they played really well in the second half. In fact all of Strathmore’s points came in the first.
   “We shut them down completely,” said Redmond. “They have a pretty good team, and had good size too. They got it together, that’s for sure.”
   This seems to have been the case this season. Redmond said there is good parity in the league leading to some competitive matches and some even records. Lindsay Thurber of Red Deer is still undefeated, and there are a couple teams on the lower end of the scale. Most however are in the middle of the pack battling it out.”
   “Other than those few teams we are all log jammed,” said Redmond of the Titans 2-3 record.
   The Titans will finish league play this weekend by traveling to Red Deer to play Hunting Hills School. They are expected to be a strong opponent. Redmond explains whether they win or lose, the Titans will hold on to a spot in the tier four playoffs.
   “We are still in the driver’s seat for playoffs, we’ll have home field advantage all the way through,” said Redmond. We just have to keep winning.”

Senior Titans regroup for league play

    The Senior Titans continue to learn tough lessons as they march towards the post season.
   Last week the Titans were under Friday night lights in Brooks and were dealt a blow. Brooks are currently ranked ninth at the Tier 3 level and were led by an impressive quarterback. The Titans at times seemed not ready for Brooks.
   “Our biggest downfall was we fumbled the ball five times and they recovered them,” said head coach Ken Fournier. “That’s five turnovers and they capitalized on all of them. You can’t win against very many teams when you hand them the ball.”
   Despite this, he said the Titans were actually moving the ball quite well, but ball protection was lacking. On defense the Titans were simply a step behind, missing tackles. Brooks’ quarterback could advance the ball in the air or scramble for yards. They took a 35-22 win.
   The Titans have a skinny league schedule with only two other teams, and made a concerted effort to arrange games with more competitive teams that play at higher levels. It has been a mixed blessing. It has allowed the Titans to identify their weaknesses, but at the same time it appears they may have stalled some motivation.
   “I think it is complacency on the part of the players, I think they took these exhibition games a lot lighter than they should have. These are games where you are supposed to improve and work on everything against tough opponents and really show what you can do,” said Fournier.
   “We did the right thing by picking the right opponents, it is just unfortunate we didn’t capitalize on the opportunities while they were there. It is a lesson these guys are going to have to learn before provincials if we make it there, because it is going to be a battle.”
   He said Justin Schinnour was a standout on defense versus Brooks.
   “He played really well for the defense, and offensively Josh Weeteringen had a really good game,” said Fournier.
   The Titans continue league play this weekend as they travel to Canmore to play Bow Valley. They are back home on October 20 to play Olds.

Sabres Volleyball team continues to progress

    The Senior Sabres girl’s volleyball team is continuing to grow as the season progresses.
   Last Wednesday they were in action at home versus Morrin School. The Sabres won the first close set, but didn’t show up for the second, losing 8-24. In the remaining three sets, the Sabres lost 8-25, allowing Morrin to take the victory.
   Despite this, the young team is continuing to progress.
   “They are learning to work together and are all getting along,” said coach Marie Hirsh.
The team also played at a Duchess tournament on September 29. The Sabres were able to beat a young Standard team, but ran in to some tough schools in Duchess, St. Joseph’s of Brooks and Warner.
   “They were close games,” said coach Hirsh, “so they are getting better.”
   The Sabres continue play in the Big Country League. This week they will be in Hanna on Wednesday and then in Morrin come October 24. Championship Night is on November 7.
   The team will be back in tournament action in Bassano come October 20, and are looking at scheduling more exhibition play versus DVSS.

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