It was a rematch, one where the Titans hoped to avenge a loss from earlier in the season. This time, the field would be dry and the football team would have the home advantage. It was the start of the Sectional on October 25, and the class 3A, #3 ranked Gibson Southern Titans football team took on the #2 ranked Heritage Hills Patriots. In their regular season matchup, Heritage Hills took the win, 28-0 in a wet game that was postponed to Saturday afternoon due to heavy rains from hurricane Helene the day before.
While playing in the eye of a hurricane, it may be hard to learn much due to the harsh conditions. Still, the Titans and the Patriots were able to get a taste of what each other could do on the field.
“They got to play us and make adjustments,” Hart said. “Even moreso, the weather was such a factor in the first game, that I’m not sure either team learned a lot from that game.”
The Sectional matchup looked as if it would be a low-scoring game. The first 10 minutes of the first quarter were scoreless. It was not until under the last two minutes of the quarter that Heritage Hills quarterback Jett Goldsberry scored the first touchdown. This would be one of his five rushing touchdowns against the Titans.
Gibson Southern was able to bring the ball within the 10-yard line, but they were stopped. Hart went with the option of kicking a field goal. Senior Cam Novotny, the team’s 4.5-star kicker, was able to connect, putting the Titans on the board. This was Novotny’s first of two field goals on the night.
Heritage Hills went on and scored 14 points in the second quarter and in the third quarter, all of which were Goldsberry rushing touchdowns.
Arguably the biggest play of the game came from a fake punt where Goldsberry winged it downfield to junior receiver Tyler Ruxer for more than a 50-yard gain. The refs marked Ruxer down at the one-yard line.
This time around, the Titans were not held scoreless. However, the men were unable to slow down the Patriots’ scoring and lost in the first round of the Sectional, 35-18.
“I thought we did some things really well,” Hart said. “They have some outstanding players, and we ultimately gave up too many big plays on both sides of the ball.”
Junior quarterback Zach Foster connected with junior Lloyd Sellers for two passing touchdowns: one in the third quarter, and one in the fourth quarter.
While the Titans’ season came to an end, there was a lot the team learned.
“I would say our biggest takeaway this year was getting experience,” Foster said. “We had a lot of younger guys filling in for injuries and guys playing new positions.”
Gibson Southern faced multiple injuries this season, including two defensive players: junior Maverick Deputy and senior Beau Rose. With these two being hurt and out for the end of the season, some younger players had to step up and fill in a spot, giving the Titans a younger core.
“I think that we have a really good core coming back, and a decent group of guys that will be starting for their third or fourth year,” Hart said. “So, there is a lot of experience.”
The loss was a tough one, but with so many experienced players returning, Gibson Southern has the potential to be a good team. The players will start their off-season routine soon, which includes plans to lift, practice and get better for next season.
“I am really excited to see how far we can make it playing into late November [next season],” said Gibson Southern junior cornerback Jake Mazzier. “We are returning a lot of key players, and I think we have a great senior group to lead us.”
Heritage Hills advanced to the final game of Sectional 32 and will play against Memorial for the championship on November 8.
