KFDM COOP Posted October 15, 2008 Report Share Posted October 15, 2008 Sagging Titans look to Baytown Sterling By Cody Pastorella The Port Arthur News By Cody Pastorella The News Sports Writer Last Friday's game between the Memorial Titans and then ranked No. 4 North Shore was over before it even began. It was almost officially over some five minutes after it began. When it was officially over, North Shore owned a 66-7 victory that impressed voters enough to up the Mustangs rank to No. 3 in Class 5A. Friday's game was so bad for Port Arthur, North Shore had a 28-0 lead before Memorial's defense even stepped on the playing field. Memorial's Jareal Alexander threw an interception that was returned for a touchdown on Memorial's first series. Later in the quarter, after Alexander turned the ball over two more times, North Shore doctors said Alexander received a concussion, which came from a blow he took on the interception. Memorial head coach Ronnie Thompson said Alexander took a knee to the helmet when trying to tackle the North Shore defender on that opening series. Thompson said Alexander laid motionless for a matter of seconds before hopping up and then coaches asked the quarterback if he was okay. He said he was fine. On both of the Titans next two possessions, Alexander lost control of the ball when trying to make passes. The ball slipped out his hand for fumbles that were returned for touchdowns. It was then brought to the coaching staff that Alexander had a concussion, so the senior sat out the rest of the contest. On the Titans fourth possession, Port Arthur went three and out and was forced to punt. Memorial did not get the punt off and North Shore scooped up the loose ball and returned it for another touchdown. "Down 28-0 in five minutes of football," Thompson said. "It was like a cluster of negative dominoes falling one after the other. We aren't that bad but the game was over before we could get control of the situation. We aren't that bad but played horrible and when that happens against a team as good as North Shore, (66-7) that's going to be the result." Thompson added that it did not help his team to have to play top ranked opponenets in back-to-back weeks after returning from Hurricane Ike. But the third year Memorial coach said no one is making any excuses. "There was some head hanging and we certainly were not happy about what happened over there (Gelena Park)," Thompson said. "We're sitting there, early in the game, already with that feeling of 'when is this thing going to end."' We know they were the better team but it shouldn't have been that bad. We're better than that." Thompson added that there was no time for sulking once the Titans returned to Port Arthur. "You have to put that out of your mind. We have to leave that behind and move forward. That's the only way we can improve is to regroup mentally and physically and get ready for next week. We have to regroup and come out this week and play our game." Titan Tidbits: Thompson said Alexander is doing well after the concussion he received early in Friday's loss to North Shore. The senior will start Friday against the Baytown Sterling Rangers. That game will be at 7:30 p.m. Friday in Baytown. The Rangers are 4-1 on the season and picked up a District 21-5A win over crosstown foe Baytown Lee last week. Sterling is 1-0 in league play while Memorial is 1-4 overall and 0-1 in district. Thompson said there is a flu bug going around the team right now but aside from seasonal colds and bumps and bruises endured from the tough teams Port Arthur has faced the last two weeks, there are no serious injuries to report. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr. Buddy Garrity Posted October 15, 2008 Report Share Posted October 15, 2008 i dont think its a good idea for him to be playing after a concussion. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigd92 Posted October 16, 2008 Report Share Posted October 16, 2008 I agree with you on that one scooter. I think its way too soon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sahen Posted October 16, 2008 Report Share Posted October 16, 2008 PAM fans, game is at 7:00 PM not 7:30 PM...just thought yall might want to know.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
82 5A State Champs Posted October 16, 2008 Report Share Posted October 16, 2008 Good luck to the Titans. I'd like to see ya'll knock the Rangers off their pedestal and send them home woozy at 1-1. ;D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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