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Titans battle into league championship

    The Senior Titans are on their way to Rangeland championship this Friday after seeking redemption versus a strong Crescent Heights last Friday night.
   This is the Titans’ first season playing in the Rangeland league. Any trepidation about allowing a Tier 4 team into the league has vanished as they compete for the top prize.
   “It was a good win for us, we played well on both sides of the ball and special teams played awesome,” said head coach Ken Fournier. “Everyone was playing hard.”

Spencer Fournier, 33 and Gage Berdahl, 11, had great games last Friday as the Titans defeated Crescent Heights in the Rangeland Semifinal. This Friday they take on Medicine Hat High for the championship.

    The Titans were firing on all cylinders last Friday. On offense, the players they expected to show up, were standouts. Spencer Fournier made a 70 yard return for a touchdown and Gage Berdahl made about 150 years on the ground receiving, Steven Robertson was on his game and Jakub St. Jean ran in a touchdown.
   On defense, regular stalwarts Alan Lister, Rhett Duggan and Tracker Robinson were strong.
   Last time these two teams met, Crescent Heights won by a single point.
   “This time we capitalized on turnovers and we didn’t stall our drives because of penalties,” said Fournier.
   “That was on the only team that beat us this year so that was a big weight off our back, and to get those negative thoughts out of our heads,” said Fournier.
   This means that the Titans will be taking on the Medicine Hat High Mohawks for the championship. Last time the two teams met, they tied. Coach Fournier said the team is healthy going in to the final.
   Fournier said it has been a good experience playing in the new league.
   “We are looking forward to a big game in Rangeland. This is the first time a Tier 4 team has been in Rangeland and we are doing really well. They (other teams) are not bitter about it, they are happy they have another strong team in the league, making it better for everybody,” said Fournier.
   Kickoff for the championship is at 7:30 p.m. at the Methanex Bowl in Medicine Hat.

Bantam Titans to face Red Deer Thursday

    The Bantam Titans are still in the mix this week as they play a Red Deer team in the Tier 3 playoffs.
     The Bantam have had a strong year and moved right up to Tier 2 going into the post season. Last Friday, they played Lacombe, the first place team in the northern division of the league. The Titans knew they were in tough, and Lacombe left the field with a 66-8 win.
   “You try to do the best you can,” said coach Ron Thornborough. “We have a few things to work on.”
   This is the first year with Thornborough as head coach. Despite a few lop-sided losses, he said the team is steadily learning the game and having fun. The team also went from Tier 4 to qualifying for Tier 2. This is a step up, but maybe a little too big of a step up.
   “You have to build to it. You learn and the boys learn and you keep getting better, so build on it,” he said. “ It has been a lot of fun, the kids had a blast, the coaches had a blast, there are a lot of positives. The winning will come later.”
     He expects the Red Deer team they play this coming Thursday will also be strong.

Bantams set to meet Innisfail Saturday on gridiron

The Bantam Titans are looking for redemption heading into the twilight of the season, facing Innisfail this Saturday at DVSS Field.
The Bantams have been plugging along this season in a league where there are very strong teams. Innisfail might be a little bit of a better match for the Titans after facing off versus a strong Sylvan Lake squad on September 28 and the last Saturday against Springbank. The Titans fell 50-14.

The Bantam Titans were able to get a jump on the Springbank Phoenix and move the ball well. Despite this, they fell 50-14. This Saturday they are hosting Innisfail, game time, is 10 a.m.

    We would have a few errors at time and get behind,” said Coach Ron Thornborough, adding it is tougher to play catch up.
While the score looked lop-sided the Titans were able to continue moving the ball on long drives, however Springbank wouldn’t give up the end zone. The Titans also were strong on defense, but a few errors were costly.
   “We were pretty good at times, and they were doing their best in tough games, said Thornborough.
   He adds the team also has a few injuries, which hasn’t helped.
   Despite this he says the team isn’t getting down.
   The Titans wrap up their home stand this Saturday, October 12. They are facing Innisfail at 10 a.m. The Peewee Terrapins play at 1 p.m.
     “We have to come out blazing,” said Thornborough. “It would be good to come out and get some points or a touchdown, and then play quarter by quarter.”

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