Eyeing a Regional title, the Gibson Southern Titans traveled north and faced off against the Bruins of Tri-West on Saturday, Nov. 11. It was two years since the Titans and Bruins saw one another in the 2021 Semi-State game at Tri-West, where Gibson Southern blew them out of the water with a 44-7 win.
The Bruins received the ball on the opening drive and got off to an early lead. On the very first play of the game, the Bruins flew down the field and scored on an 83-yard run. The Titans received the ball but were unable to pull anything together, being forced to punt. The Bruins received the ball back and went down the field and scored again, giving them a 14-0 lead with 2:57 left to play in the first quarter.
The Titans answered back in the start of the second quarter with a touchdown from junior Beau Rose. Even though the Titans were still down, head coach Nick Hart believed this was a key turning point in the game.
“I think when it was 14-0, and we were able to score to make it 14-7, it helped us relax and just play,” Hart said.
Gibson Southern held Tri-West and kept them away from the endzone, waiting to capitalize on their next possession. The Titans marched into Bruin territory but had to settle for a 29-yard field goal by junior Cam Novotny. The Titans still trailed 14-10 with 4:24 left in the half, but neither team moved the scoreboard in the remaining time.
Gibson Southern received the ball in the second half and took advantage of it. Senior quarterback Tanner Boyd rushed down the field for 34 yards and a touchdown. This gave the Titans their first lead of the game, putting them up 17-14.
The Titan defense made another stop to the Bruins offense and forced them to punt. The Titans drove down field again and scored off a four-yard pass from Boyd to senior Sean DeLong. Even though passing was not a strength for the Titans in this game, it still helped them score.
“Although we didn’t pass much, when we did, it worked out, and we were able to score a touchdown in a crucial part of the game,” DeLong said.
The Titans were now up 24-14 with 7:32 left in the third quarter. After a series of scoreless possessions by both teams, the score remained the same heading into the fourth quarter.
In the fourth, Rose rushed down the field on fourth and two and scored his second touchdown for the Titans. Gibson Southern extended its lead 31-14, giving them 31 unanswered points.
The Bruins eventually made their way to the Titan end zone to score one more time, making the score 31-21.
During the Titans’ next possession, Rose scored on a rushing touchdown again, his third of the game. Rose thought the O-line executed well and helped him succeed.
“The O-line played exceptionally well, and anyone would have been able to be successful against Tri-West the way they played,” Rose said. “They made my job easy, and it definitely showed.”
Novotny’s PAT was the last point on the board, taking the score to 38-21 and giving the Titans a Regional championship, their second in three years. Hart felt the Titans put forth some of their best efforts against the Bruins.
“I thought after the first eight or so minutes we played really good football,” Hart said. “The final three quarters may have been the best we have played all year.”
Boyd passed for 104 yards and went 9 of 19 for one touchdown. Rose rushed for 73 yards in six attempts, scoring three touchdowns. DeLong rushed for 110 yards in 24 attempts. DeLong also brought in two receptions for 13 yards and a touchdown. Senior Michael Herren brought in four receptions for 32 yards. Defensively, senior Mason Scheller and sophomore Zach Foster both had one interception. Senior Eli Dodge had one sack.
The Titans will go to The Jungle for Semi-State on Friday, Nov. 17, and take on the Patriots of Heritage Hills for a chance to punch their ticket to State. Hart is focusing on the health of his players heading into the latter part of the season and is excited for Semi-State.
“At this point of the season, health is paramount,” Hart said. “We are doing our best to take care of our bodies so we are as close to 100% on Friday night as possible. We really just need to have a great week, understand the game plan, and make sure we are good on timing.”
