Can Titans build on pedigree vs. Knights?
bill ryan/the gazette
Tuscarora's Fabian Gonzalez celebrates after reaching the end zone against Frederick.
|
Maryland Community Newspapers Online
|
bill ryan/the gazette
Tuscarora's Fabian Gonzalez celebrates after reaching the end zone against Frederick.
|
Friday's matchup between host Tuscarora and Middletown represents a potential powerhouse against a long-established program.
The Titans, who have one non-losing season in their four seasons of varsity football, began the season with a bang, routing intra-city rival Frederick 40-6. The Knights however, a perennial visitor to the postseason, were tested by Liberty before pulling out a 14-7 road victory.
"We had good special teams and our defense played phenomenal," said Tuscarora head coach Shawn Carey. "We are going to have to play our game [against Middletown]. If our kids come to play, I think we will be tough to beat."
Middletown was led by its senior quarterback Rob Michels, who rushed for a 10 yard touchdown, and threw the game winning pass to Thomas Pitsenbarger. Knights' head coach Kevin Lynott was impressed with his 6-foot-3 in signal caller, as well as several others in the Liberty game.
"Rob is really being that senior leader," Lynott said. "He's been a four-year starter on defense and a two and a half year starter on offense, and he has really taken command of the team. [Senior linebacker] Tony Boyer has also been playing well too. He had 13 [total] tackles, including nine assists. Our [interior] lines don't look impressive, but they are a bunch of hard-working kids, and our tackle Jacob Thompson had a great game against Liberty."
Carey sees Michaels, and Boyer as definite threats to his squad.
"Their quarterback [Michels] is a heck of a player," Carey said. "He can throw under pressure; he has great vision all over the field. Their linebacking corps is very good; we are going to have to respect them. The [entire] defense does a great job."
Lynott is concerned about the Titans' overall abilities.
"We have to totally respect their talent," said Lynott. "[Dominic] Clarke with his speed, he is very dangerous, as he showed with his performance against Frederick. [Wide receiver] Jackarie Jackson is another athlete who is a weapon. We are going to have to do a very good job of eliminating or at least reducing the big plays, because they are a big-play team.
"They have an arsenal of receivers and their quarterback [Josh Marshall] had a great game against Frederick. Not to mention they have a big line on both sides. We are going to have to play very hard in order to outplay them."