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The Bantam Titans know what it's like to battle in the trenches, both on the field and in the standings. Hoping to improve on the one win and three losses holding them at the bottom of the Vancouver Mainland Football League, the gritty team marched the mucky field at Don Ross Secondary School on Sunday (Sept. 30) to face the two-and-two North Surrey Tigers but came up empty handed with a final score of 12-20.
It was the classic setting for down and dirty football - perfect for Rob Ryan's Titans.
"Rain suits us," he said. "We're muckers, we're a wet field team."
The Titans defence was knocked down early in the first quarter after a 20-yard pass set up a Tiger touchdown. A missed snap for the extra point kept the score within six points.
The Titans offence bounced back when Nolan Prevost ran for 20 yards and Trevor LeBlanc caught a 25-yard pass from Cory Constantin to reach the Tiger's seven-yard line. Constantin easily ran it in for the touchdown to tie the score 6-6.
The Tiger's last attack of the first half was tamed by Alexander Neville's interception in the Titan end zone.Despite the Titan defence digging its heels in the red zone down after down, the Tigers were finally able to penetrate for seven points to up the score 6-13.
Chester McQuaid returned the following kickoff 30 yards to enter North Surrey territory. But the offence couldn't add to the progress. That started a fire under Constantin.
The linebacker replied with two sacks to halt the following North Surrey drive. But a couple of interceptions later, the Tigers took advantage of a fatigued Titan defence, running the ball 70 yards for the touchdown and extra point to extend their lead 6-20.
"We gave up a big run there," said Ryan. "Two of our main linebackers were off, tired at the same time, and they managed to hit that hole."
The Titans were able to close the gap to one possession after a rushing touchdown by Constantin made the score 12-20. "This is a tough team, this is a good football team, so to hold them to 20 points and stay within eight of them We turned the ball over a lot so if we take those turnovers away and the big run it's 12-12," said Ryan.
Now burdened with one win and four losses, the Titans face the undefeated Richmond Raiders on Monday (Oct. 8) at Don Ross Secondary School.
Minor Titans weather storming Raiders
An ironclad Titan defence was the key to sinking a Raider siege in the Minor Gordon Sturtridge Football League game on Sunday (Sept. 30). The Raider black was smothered by at least four or five blue and white jerseys on most tackles. The Titans only needed one touchdown in the 6-2 victory.
"We were really playing like a team on defence," said coach Eric Frappier. "We were gang tackling and it went really well."Curtis Constantin, Haden Bakes, Anthony Wuster and Daniel Cole all recorded sacks.
The Titan offence, however, struggled to protect the ball early and allowed a number of fumbles.
"It was really tough to hold on to the ball because it was so wet," said quarterback Graham Moore.
Since Moore will be moving up to the Bantam level next year, coach Frappier let future quarterback Dylan Cross take the reins for the first half to get a feel for the position.
"He did well," said Frappier. "There were some problems with the snap, but that's just something we'll have to practice."
The Titan touchdown came in the first half when Wuster caught a pass from Moore and ran for 65 yards. A first ever field goal attempt came up short. The snap was good but the offensive line didn't hold. The Titans and the 49ers are tied for first place in the division with two wins and one draw.
They play the Stamps on the road Sunday (Oct. 7) and return home to face the Raiders again at home the next day.
