Central Elgin Titan Ty Freeman tackles Huron Park Huskies Jacob Sim (24), during the TVRA Varsity football semi-final, at Central Elgin Collegiate. (photo / Rob J. Ross)
November 10, 2016
By Rob J. Ross
ST. THOMAS, Ont. - If this trend continues, the Central Elgin Titans are in line for 50-plus points, in their biggest game of their season.
In their season opener, the Titans scored one touchdown, in a 7-0 win against the Woodstock College Avenue Knights, September 29.
For the next three games, the offence improved production, scoring 10, 17 and 36 points, helping the Titans to first place, with a 4-0 record in the Thames Valley Region Varsity football league.
The Titans kept up the pace in their TVRA Varsity semi-final, dumping the Woodstock Huron Park Huskies, 41-6, at Central Elgin Collegiate.
Ethan Howick led the Titans with three rushing touchdowns, along with kicking two single point converts and one field goal. Jordan Bennett, Rod Gutmanis and Jake Rick, on punt return, also scored majors.
Central Elgin advances to the final against College Ave., on Thursday, November 17, at TD Waterhouse Stadium, in London.
"We had some breaks at the beginning of the game, like the punt return for a touchdown. We kept working hard. We didn’t do anything different than we did before,” Titans coach Scott Massecar said. “They’ve (players) been listening, working hard and being positive getting things done.”
On fire with seven touchdowns over the past three games, Howick adds his team-mates are improving each time out.
“Our coach’s big thing is commitment and working together as a team. We’re becoming more of a brotherhood,” the Grade 12 student said. “We’re not getting mad at each other. Now, it’s get it done next time. We’re motivating each other to get better.”
The Titans picked up some of the Huskies’ tendencies during their regular season meeting, a 17-6 win, at Huron Park, on October 19.
“We knew they run a lot of trick plays and reverses, so our defensive ends made sure they collapsed down,” said Howick, who had two majors in that October game. “Offensively, we were running counters against them and that just opened up the field for us.”
Offence and defence have had critical roles in Central Elgin success this season.
“It’s been a little bit of both. We don’t have kids going both ways, so we’re rested. The kids have been doing a good job,” said Massecar.
A blocked field goal and fumble recovery were a few highlights for the Titan defence.
Noah Vens scored Huron Park’s lone TD late in the fourth quarter.
College Avenue beat London Montcalm, 26-20, in the other Varsity semi-final. © 2016 Hometownplay.ca