RECAP: Titans battle past Gators

Last year, the Holy Trinity Titans shut out the Donald A Wilson Gators en route to a first round bye in the LOSSA playoffs.

This year was much the same, with the Titans defence once again holding the Gators off the scoreboard (save for an interception return, surrendered by the offence.) This marks the second year in a row the Gators offence has been stymied by a swarming Titans defence. The Titans have blown out the Gators two years in a row also, this year winning decisively by a score of 26-7.

In the first quarter, the Titans successfully employed a field position game, Barring two turnovers the Gators offence operated almost exclusively in it’s own territory, never once threatening a real opportunity to score. Titans quarterback Chris Waldinsperger started the game in a mixed fashion, throwing an interception but evening it out with a touchdown pass to make the score 7-0 early.

No sooner then a 2 and out by the Gator offence, Waldinsperger threw another interception.  However, the Gators would capitalize as they returned the ball all the way to the end zone to even the score 7-7 early in the second quarter. Titans kicker Michael Drake would add a field goal. Before the half, the Gators would also concede a safety later into the second quarter to make the score 12-7 in favour of Titans.

In the third quarter, both teams would hunker down defensively. Only one play would go for point in this quarter when Titans running back Nathan Jones bursted through the line and outran the Gator defence on a 75 yard touchdown run to make the score 19-7. The rest of the quarter would see both teams attempt to move the ball,  only to be forced to punt. The score would remain 19-7 into the fourth quarter.

For much of the fourth quarter, the same defensive stalemate remained. With a comfortable lead, it grew somewhat predictable and therefore easier to stop. Similarly with the clock ticking and the Gators staring at a significant deficit their play calling grew somewhat predictable as they were forced to the air. Titans cornerback Josh Ritchie would cash in on Wilson’s need to go to the air; catching an interception and returning it deep into Gators territory late in the fourth quarter. The Titans would cash in this opportunity to ice the game with Chris Waldinsperger tossing his second touchdown pass of the day, this time to Michael Drake.

After this win the Titans set themselves up for a couple of massive battles against LOSSAA stalwarts Pickering Trojans and St. Mary Monarchs over the next two weeks respectively. A win in both would give the Titans first place in LOSSAA and give them an all important bye week.