RECAP: CFC#47 Saints power past Titans in defensive struggle

Two  LOSSA heavyweights squared off Saturday in a close, hard fought game. The game between CFC # 47 St Paul Saints and Holy Trinity Titans did not disappoint as it was more a test of defensive grit than anything else.

Both teams struggled mightily to find any sustained offensive production. The Saints were able to shut down the new Titans offense and force four turnovers from senior quarterback Chris Waldinsperger, who tossed a career high four interceptions.

In the first quarter, the Saints went to the ground game early and gashed the Titans right up the middle of the field. Running back Dawson Odei ran through arm tackles with relative ease as the Saints marched well into field goal range on the first drive of the game. With their backs to the wall the Titan defense managed to force a stop deep in their own end to force a field goal. The snap however would go over the head of the holder and Holy Trinity would tackle the ball carrier for a turnover on downs. The Titans would go three and out and were set to punt on third and 10 when the snap went over Tyson Rose’s head,the ounter would then pick it up and run for the first down marker getting cut down a yard ahead of the sticks. The quarter would end in a 0-0 tie.

In the second quarter, after a miraculous first down run by the punter, quarterback Chris Waldinsperger would throw his first pick of the game by overthrowing the intended receiver. The Saints took full advantage of the turnover marching down to the Titans goal line before the defense could blink. Dawson Odei would then score the opening points of the game with a touchdown on a goal line carry. The Saints would miss the PAT and make the score 6-0. Later in the quarter After another Waldinsperger pick Paul Dwyer would score again, this time the score coming from Vance Bundi. The Saints kicker rebounded from the previous miss and made the PAT to make the score 13-0 for the Saints heading into halftime.

The Titans would start with the ball in the third quarter, needing to put some sort of points on the board. Titans running back Nathan Jones decided to take matter into his own hands as who took advantage of an over-pursuing Saints defense as he took a counter 65 yards to the end zone to open the half. The Titans kicker would also miss his first PAT of the day and the score was now 13-6 in favour of the Saints. The Titans would then fail to return fire and gave the ball right back to the Saints. Dwyer would have the ball late in the 3rd with the ball and chance to virtually put the game on ice with another touchdown. The Saints moved the ball well and looked like they were going to cash in on the chance to put the game away, however the Titans defense tightened up with the game on the line in their own territory. The Titans would stop the Saints attack and hold them to a field goal to keep the game within reach. The score was now 16-6 Saints going into the 4th quarter, the game still completely up for grabs

In the fourth the Titans would have their best drive of the day, and Chris Waldinsperger would make the best throw of the day; hanging in against a heavy blitz he found Tyson Rose underneath for a short gain that turned into something much more as Tyson took it to the endzone. The Titans would make the P.A.T and the score now 16-13 for the Saints. On the next drive the Titans defense would have to again stand strong to keep the game within reach. The Saints would march down the field again and looked dangerous inside the Titans 10 yard line. The Titans defense would again stand strong in their own end and force the Saints backwards setting up a third and goal situation from outside the 10, again the Saints when backwards and gave the Titans a chance. Chris Waldinsperger would then throw his 4th and final pick of the game. The Titans got the ball back again inside their own 10 but this time went backwards, signal caller Chris Waldinsperger getting sacked for safety effectively ended the game as the Saints kneeled the clock out.

The game was fiercely competitive as expected and both teams fought incredibly hard until the final whistle.