The 2009 season is one that sophomore head coach Scott O’Neal would just as soon forget as his Tantramar Titans failed to win in six attempts while competing in the Eastern Section of the N.B. High School Football League.
Just a warning to the other teams in the conference: Don’t expect to receive the same hospitality this season as it’s expected the local high school squad, with a long tradition of battling for every yard of turf, will be primed and ready to take on all comers with the opening fixture set for the Titan gridiron on Sept. 11 against the defending provincial champion Moncton Purple Knights. The game will commence at noon to permit the players to take in the huge Homecoming game of the Mounties against the St. FX X-Men at 2 p.m.
O’Neal believes the squad has matured, with no fewer than 22 returnees back with an extra year of playing time behind them. They weren’t all that far out in most games last year and he feels the team has made giant strides with an off-season conditioning program that means the individual players will be stronger and faster and with unpleasant memories borne out by the 0-6 record.
Perhaps the main key to success will be Michael Bohan, a young man who was inserted into the quarterback position for the final two games last year and who showed plenty of potential and a strong arm. He will be counted upon to lead a strong aerial game, although O‘Neal hopes they will be competent with a good running attack. Bohan is also the punter and kicker.
Working along with O’Neal will be a strong lineup of assistant coaches. Long-time head coach David Burns will be responsible for assembling a strong defense, while Wray Perkin will attempt to develop a competent special group of units. Peter Hess will demonstrate his skills with the quarterbacks. Newcomer Ben Brown will work with the defensive line, while David Hicks will help with the backs, and Charles Lafford has drawn the receivers as his responsibility. O‘Neal will spend all his spare time in trying to establish a strong and diverse offense.
“Last season we were unable to contain opposing teams while, at the same time, finding it difficult to manufacture points,” the head coach, who will be entering his third campaign, recalled during a recent discussion. “But we will be considerably improved this time as we aim for a playoff and after than anything is possible.”
The Titans were built into a powerhouse during the 1970s under the leadership of Bruce McMillan and Chris Porter and they went on to win back-to-back-to-back provincial championships. They accomplished this remarkable feat while still the tiniest school in the league through outstanding talent and a hardnosed, in-your-face-style of play. Defensively, the players played ferociously, refusing to concede a single yard, while on offense they unveiled a potent running game combined with the best passing attack up to that time, featuring Peter Hess to Ian MacDonald.
They not only rode roughshod over league opponents, but also hammered a highly favoured team from Stettler, Alta. The visitors looked great in the early going as they contained the Titan run, but when Hess went to the air it was lights out.
So how do O’Neal and company plan to bring the team to the competitive level again. For one thing they believe they have more talent and will be relying on such stalwarts as 315-pound Cody Steeves to fill a big hole in the middle of the defensive line, allowing the linebackers an opportunity to move with ease. Alex Shipley, Anthony Boutilier and Jeff Phinney will be key to any defensive success. O’Neal feels that Luke Oulton will do the job at running back. Named for their ability to perform at any position, The Three Amigos – John Milner, Jeff LeBlanc and Riley Burns – bring unlimited talent that the coaches believe will elevate the entire team play.
O’Neal smiles when he thinks about the crop of rookies who will be a definite asset.
Alan Snowdon can play a variety of spots, as can Troy Hicks and Keaton Hicks, while Boutilier is another rookie with a strong work ethic.
Since Tantramar has a limited number of male students, it often requires several players to work both sides of the ball and O’Neal estimates as many as five or six will be called upon again. While the 30-plus members of the team will see action, it will be necessary in key situations to move some offensive players to defense in order to contain the opposition.
“This will definitely be our turnaround year,” O’Neal says confidently. “We have an excellent corps of returnees and some fine looking newcomers and team chemistry should not be a problem.”
