Titans, Ganders battle for playoffs

[KFDM COOP]

Titans, Ganders battle for playoffs

GAME OF THE WEEK: BAYTOWN LEE AT MEMORIAL

By Cody Pastorella

The Port Arthur News

Forget the 2-5 season. Forget the 1-3 District 21-5A record. Forget the lost time caused by hurricanes, the injuries, the "what ifs," the inept offensive production in the blowout losses to North Shore and The Woodlands.

All of the problems the Memorial Titans have had this season can be undone with tonight's homecoming matchup with the Baytown Lee Ganders.

Whichever team wins tonight will move on to the Class 5A state playoffs despite a losing record, as the league is made up of just six teams and the top four qualify for the postseason.

Both the Titans and Ganders are locked at 1-3 in district.

Memorial head coach Ronnie Thompson said this is the "game of the year."

"Everything is on the line and this game means as much to us as it does to them," Thompson said. "Both sides are all in and both teams have just as many chips involved. This is big."

No doubt. And the Port Arthur News Friday Night Experience cameras will be there to capture all the action, with the game being replayed Tuesday at 7 p.m. on Cable 18.

Just with the taste of victory last week, when the Titans used a 72-yard, two-minute drive to beat Channelview 23-22 to pick up a potential playoff saving victory, Thompson said the atmosphere around Port Arthur has completely changed.

"This was a team that desperately needed a win. It was sorely needed. We have been fighting a lot of adversity this season and it's been hard getting everything to come together.

"With that win and the way the win was conducted, I assure you the whole atmosphere around here has changed. We have self-respect and confidence now."

While self-respect and confidence may go a long way for the Titans tonight, it's going to take a lot more to get a win over Lee and break into the playoffs for the first time since 2006.

Both the Ganders and Titans faced a similar situation heading into the final week of the district season last year. Both teams needed a win to claim a spot. While Lee answered the call by routing Atascocita 44-7, Memorial basically did not show up against Humble. The Titans took one on the chin, losing 39-17.

Every year has a twist, though. Well, with maybe one exception and that is that Memorial and Lee always go down to the wire. The series is currently tied at 3-3 and once has the victor won by more than a touchdown.

However, in the six games between these two, Lee has only beaten Memorial once in Port Arthur. That result came back in 2002, which was the Titans' first year to play the Ganders.

Comparing the numbers, the Ganders are averaging 227 yards of offense. Memorial is posting 244 yards per contest.

Typically, Lee and Memorial bring huge offenses to the table with players such as Port Arthur's Jamaal Charles, who gets his first start for the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday, and Lee's Drew Tate, who was one of the most prolific passers in Texas prep history. This year has been rather different, as both have struggled offensively while improving defensively.

Offensively, only Port Arthur's Solomon Jones tops any major category in the district's skill positions. Jones leads 21-5A with 31 receptions. He also ranks third with 293 receiving yards and has been a jewel for the Titans kickoff and punt return teams.

In the playoff deciding game against Humble last year, Jones gave Port Arthur one of its only sparks against the Mustangs by returning the opening kickoff for a touchdown. Jones has not scored a special teams touchdown this season but he did grab the decisive, 10-yard pass from quarterback Jereal Alexander last week against Channelview to win the game.

Alexander ranks fifth in passing in 21-5A with 600 yards. He has thrown nine interceptions, however, in his four-and-a-half games this season. Alexander also has a team-high 249 rushing yards.

Lee's biggest offensive threat is running back Steven Banuelos, who has 297 yards this season. He averages 4.1 yards a carry but has not found the endzone once.

To put it mildly, this showdown does not appear to be the offensive matchup of the past. But, considering the importance of this go around and the battles these two have fought in the first six meetings, both Lee's head coach Dick Olin and Thompson agreed that anything will be possible, and both expect the score to be tight.

"They (Lee) are a very good defensive team," Thompson said. "They have had their struggles on offense but this team has been in every game. They've only been blown out once and that was to North Shore (48-7 last week)."

Memorial is allowing 272 yards compared to Lee's 242 yards per game. Lee ranks second in overall defense while Memorial is tied for fourth with Baytown Sterling.

Even with Lee's respectful defense, Olin said he is rather concerned with Memorial's offense, especially Alexander, who led the Titans down the field for the game-winning drive last week against the Falcons.

"He's a really good athlete," Olin said of Alexander. "He's kind of a Catch 22 because if you rush him, if you blitz him, he can break free and take it to the house. If you sit back, he has the ability to pick you apart."

Maybe it's that Catch 22 that has Thompson feeling as if his team has some favorable matchups going into the contest.

Thompson said he felt like they match up really well on both sides of the ball with the Ganders. He said they also have some different looks in store for Lee.

"Stuff no one has seen yet," he said.

Olin added that he fully expects both sides to understand the importance of the game.

"This one means a lot," Olin said. "Both teams are in the same situation. Both teams are motivated. It should be a great game."

[gary-us-bonds]

Alright, so which one of you Titan fans are going to the game?

[BMTSoulja1]

I suppose Titan will be there since LaMarque got eliminated...