Sports | DrumhellerMail

Titanmania builds for Friday

    Titanmania is sweeping the valley as the team prepares for its appearance at the Alberta Bowl this Friday in Lethbridge.
   The squad earned its way into the finals after a strong season, and the excitement has been building every step of the way. A fan bus has been commissioned to head to the game and there are still some spaces. To get on the bus, contact the main office at DVSS.
   “The boys spoke with me in the hall last night and said how much it meant to them to have the stands full of Drumheller fans to support. I’d love to have a crowd of 45 of them with pompoms in hand,” said Gina Tipman, who is organizing the charter.
   Those who cannot make the trek to Lethbridge this weekend can still see the game online.
   The Alberta Schools’ Athletic Association (ASAA) will be streaming the games coming up this weekend. Michelle Ross, ASAA deputy director, says they are in the final arrangements and will be going live during the games.
   To watch the game go to provincals.asaa.ca, and follow the “Alberta Bowl” link.
   There has been an outpouring of support for the team. Throughout town, there are Titans signs on cars and in business windows, and the squad appreciates it.
   “The community has been really great, the support from the businesses, the people coming to the games to watch has been phenomenal,” said Patti Richardson of the Drumheller Titans.
   She has volunteered with the team for years and her son played on the 2007 squad that went to the final.
   “It was really special for the community to come out and support the boys in 2007; it was great to prove to the community that there is not just hockey. There is soccer, there is football. This time around, it has been great, the businesses in town have been so supportive.”
   "It was good to see them go in '07, and it is good to see them go now. They have worked really hard for it.”
   Those planning to get on the bus can reserve a seat for $20, and the deadline to secure a spot is today (Thursday). The bus is slated to head out at 3 p.m. on Friday.
   Tipman said they are hoping some community-minded businesses will help sponsor the bus to make it affordable for fans and the organization. For more information on sponsorship opportunities contact Tipman at 403-820-3044 or email drumhelleryoga@yahoo.ca.

Get on the Titans bus

Fans of the Drumheller Titans can get on the bus to take in this Friday night’s championship game.
A booster bus is slated to make the trip to Lethbridge for the Alberta Bowl featuring the Drumheller Titans and the Ardrossan Bisons, and spaces are filling up.
It is $20 per seat on the charter to take in the game and fans can sign up at the DVSS main office.
The Titans are hoping to garner some support from individuals or the business community to help support the bus trip.

Titans prepare for provincial showdown

    The Titans have travelled a long road to be at provincials, but rest assured Ardrossan has as well.
   The Titans are on the field under the Friday night lights in Lethbridge in the Alberta Bowl. Their road to the provincial championship was made a little easier last week when St. Timothy’s of Cochrane opted to forfeit the semifinal. Nonetheless, the Titans are more than hyped for the game.
   “It is exciting, it is a rare opportunity when you get to play for provincial gold, it is not the way we wanted to get to the game but we’ll take it just the same,” said coach Ken Fournier. “If anything, these guys are increasing their focus. The level of their focus at practice is amazing we’re able to just keep moving forward.”
   He isn’t surprised that it is Ardrossan on the other end of the field after they beat the West Central Rebels of Rocky Mountain House 21-15.
   “West Central High is a really good team - they put up a really good fight against them,” said Fournier.
   Coach Fournier said the Titans need to get ready to defend a strong passing team with a quick quarterback.
   “We have seen some good passing teams but it looks like this team’s playbook is based on the pass,” said Fournier. “We should be able to adapt to whatever we see.”
   “When you toss the ball in the air, three things can happen and two of them are bad. So if you are where you are supposed to be, if a team want to throw against us it’s okay,” said Fournier, adding they also need to be aware that Ardrossan can also move the ball on the ground.
   “They don’t have the big running backs we’ve seen all year, but they have quick skilled running backs, they are a really skilled offence.”
   He said the key is keeping the ball out of Ardrossan’s hands.
   “It is about controlling the ball. When you play against teams like this, to shut them out is a pretty rare thing. They are going to move the ball and make big plays,” said Fournier. “We just have to control the ball on our end.”
   The Titans have not been to the provincial finals since 2007 where they lost to Sylvan Lake.
Ardrossan is no stranger to the big game, either.
   “In the football world in Alberta, this is a pretty big game, because the Ardrossan Bisons have been lurking around that provincial game five or six times. This is a great opportunity for them, and they have worked hard to get to where they are, and so have we,” said Fournier. “Coming off a season where we thought we were going to be middle of the pack and rebuilding, and then to see the addition of a couple of players and coaches, we have been able to take off. The team has come together and is fighting.”

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