Coming into an unknown stadium can be intimidating for many teams, and that can be especially true when teams visit The Jewell. When the Henderson County Colonels stepped foot on the turf on September 12, they likely did not expect a 40-14 loss after an almost 50-minute bus ride to Titan country. This win for the Titans takes them to 3-1 for an overall record.
Both teams were tied after the first quarter scoring a touchdown and an extra point making the score seven all.
The Titans made a passing play to put them within the five-yard line, letting them punch it in with nine minutes to go in the second quarter. The Titans went up 14-7.
Later on during a Titan drive, senior quarterback Zach Foster threw it to the back of the end zone to junior receiver Peyton Johnson for a touchdown pass. However, it was called back for offensive pass interference.
“I did not agree with the pass interference call, but I knew a passing play was my best option to score a touchdown,” Foster said.
The very next play, Foster dropped back and connected for a touchdown to senior receiver Noah Kuester. Senior kicker Will Redden knocked in the extra point, extending the Titans’ lead to 21-7.
Redden kicked it off and pinned the Colonels within the five-yard line with a minute and a half to play in the second quarter. Senior Brody Klem put pressure on the Colonels’ quarterback and sacked him in the end zone for a safety. The Titans went up 23-7 closing out the half.
“They had some explosive players, so we wanted to do our best to try and limit their big plays and make them drive the ball down the field,” head coach Nick Hart said. “We also need to score more on offense and block better for our running backs.”
Starting the second half, the Titans got the ball and kept it moving with another rushing touchdown from sophomore Tucker Deputy.
The Titans defence stopped Henderson and forced a fumble where Gibson Southern capitalized. Foster threw a touchdown to Kuester.
The Colonels were stopped again on another three-and-out, and Gibson Southern took over on the 50-yard line with senior offensive lineman Spencer Staggs grabbing the ball out of the air after it bounced off three other people. Staggs took it to the house for a 40-yard touchdown.
“I just saw the ball in the air and took off,” Staggs said. “I did not know if anyone was right behind me or not, but my favorite part of the touchdown was celebrating with my teammates on the sideline.”
The Titans increased their lead 40-7. The maroon and gold would not score the rest of the game, but Henderson picked up seven from a late touchdown in the fourth quarter.
“I was proud we were able to make an adjustment and turn up the intensity on offense,” Hart said. “You also don’t see linemen score a touchdown everyday, so that got everyone fired up at the game.”
The Titans will host Heritage Hills on September 26. The Patriots are currently ranked number one in 4A and current State Champions in 3A.
