Sports | DrumhellerMail

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.

Titans show heart versus Bowness

   The Senior Titans came within seconds and inches of upsetting a tier 2 team this weekend.
   On Saturday the Titans hosted Bowness School from Calgary. Bowness has a long established program in an urban Calgary league. The team was able to keep it close, even without three starters.
   “They (Bowness) could move the ball well on the ground, they had big linemen, size-wise, we were out matched that’s for sure, but our guys stepped up, they responded to what the coaches challenged them to this week,” said head coach Ken Fournier. “It doesn’t matter how big or what school they come from, it’s 12 guys against 12 guys.”
   “They played to the last play.”
   The final score was 22-21.The Titans had a good chance to win, but they were not able to break through.
   The Titans had marched the ball 70 yards to the one-yard line with three seconds left. They went for the touchdown, but officials said they didn’t’ cross the threshold.
   Fournier says some have questioned the decision to go for the touchdown rather than a field goal to tie, but he said a kick from the left hand side, with a left hand kicker at the six yard line isn’t a sure thing, and because it wasn’t a league game, a tie doesn’t mean anything.
   “We had to go for it, there was really no question about it,” said Fournier.
   “It was in our hands. That was our message to the guys this week. You control the outcome of the game and give yourself the chance to win. Don’t take yourself out because you are playing a higher tiered team,” said Fournier. “They can’t take this one as a lost. They responded appropriately against a very big team and we gave ourselves a chance to win.”
   The Titans were without Kordell Sykes, Peter Shen and Spencer Fournier, all starters. Fournier said they had some stellar performances, from other players who stepped up. Joey Samoleski filled in at running back and was able to power the ball down the field. Josh Weeteringen also had a strong game.
   “He found space. These guys (Bowness) were very good at scraping the ball, and he just found space and made a couple of their linebackers look like they were rented,” said Fournier. “He is a rookie, so he is impressing his coaches every day.”
   Tanner Borowicz was also a standout on offense. Tracker Robertson was a powerhouse on defense line and Alan Lister was everywhere, said coach Fournier.
   The Titans will be under the Friday Night Lights in Brooks this week in another tough game. Brooks is ranked 10th at Tier 3 and are coming off a loss. Game time is 7 p.m.

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