Fall is in the air. Nights are chilly and sometimes rain soaked, the smell of popcorn and hot dogs permeates the nostrils and footballs are flying! The Titans are just one of many high school teams vying for a win amongst the rough and tumble world of pads and pigskin.
The West Linn game was set to be a battle. They wanted blood and revenge from last year’s play-off loss, and we were on their turf! The Titans were coming off a big win from the week before and we had Deeks, the West Linn transplant that as a sophomore had been recruited by top college football programs. It would not be an easy game for either team and could go in any direction. The players appeared evenly matched and each squad boasted quality coaching staff. The fans on both sides were undaunted by the rain. Let the skirmish begin!
The Titans scored first: a field goal. But the Lions answered back with a touchdown. It would be an epoch clash. Just before half-time, on a third and long, Titan QB was sacked for a 20 yard loss. It looked as if the momentum had turned for the lions. The Titan defense looked tired. With incredible resolve, the young defensive warriors took to the field, held the lions and time ran out. Half time and the difference was a field goal! It was up to the coaching staff. The Lions needed to keep their momentum and the Titans needed to find theirs.
The second half started slow with the ball staying mid-field for the first couple of possessions. Then the explosion began, the Titans found their mojo and scored spectacularly. The lion’s offense could not answer back as the defense began to solidify.
There is always a turning point in a game, this one happened in the third quarter on a fluke touchdown by the Titans. It wasn’t pretty, but the Ref called it good. After the dust settled, the lions coach called a time out and proceeded to inflame at the nearest official. Flags started flying and the coach was booted. The lion fans and players erupted into cheers for their disgraced coach and when he finally left the field he did so amidst a standing ovation from the lion fans. The visiting bleachers stood in stunned silence. Then in a tribute to maturity beyond their years, the student Super-fans turned toward the game leading parent fans and football players, they began to cheer their team on to victory! The point after was ours!
It wasn’t a runaway and the lions still had something to prove, a sort of resolve to take a win back to their ejected coach. But the Titans would make it difficult. The deal was sealed as the Titans entered the red zone for the last time. Another lion defensive play led to another crucial decision. A late hit on our QB earned a flag; however with tempers flaring, our QB answered back, a second flag. It only took three seconds for the Titan coach to be out on the field leading our QB back to the sidelines by the pads… time out titans. The Titans needed him to lead their team and they needed him to calm down. The coach took control and the QB displayed an ability to master his rage as he stepped onto the field and delivered the crushing blow to the Lions.
There are three things that separate the good from the best: players, coaches, and fans. Titan players, both offense and defense, displayed control at the most difficult times and exhibited maturity rarely seen in adolescents. Titan coaches expanded on their positive attitudes and philosophies to encourage and guide their protégés toward constructive ends. Last but not least, the fans did not react with the usual mob mentality as their opponents were slowly self-destructing. The bottom line: Titans 38 Lions 26.
