SACKVILLE, N.B. — As if on call, the rampaging Tantramar Titans did it again on Saturday, as they took out the dangerous Riverview Royals 15-3 for victory number 3 – all against squads that are considered serious threats to the Titans’ hopes of winning their fifth straight New Brunswick high school football championship.
"We are seeing improvement every day,” said head coach Scott O’Neal, “and especially from Jesse Estabrooks, who is gaining confidence and poise while holding down the quarterback position.”
While he kept the game primarily on the ground, Estabrooks showed a sharp throwing arm as he put the ball up for big gains.
As usual, the huge crowd saw Owen O’Neal, who has taken over the tailback position, put on another show as he sped for 179 yards and a pair of touchdowns.
O’Neal is seeking another running back, especially with the absence of both Oliver Longpre and Mason Prescott. Elliot Hicks appears to have become the backup, particularly later in games.
The win marked the 16th straight over parts of three seasons and gives the Titans an overall record of 39 out of 40, having dropped a 27-26 game to Riverview in 2017.
O’Neal says it feels better to be playing close games. Over the past few seasons the Titans have run up some big scores; but due to injuries, they now rely on tight defense to earn their victories.
But an offensive line led by Chase Clayton, Jory Parsons, Evan Phinney and Aidan Godfrey stood up to the opposition to provide solid protection for the quarterback.
The Titans will put their streak on the line on Jardine Field Saturday when the Leo Hayes Lions pay a visit with a 1 p.m. start time.
Leo Hayes, like the remaining six teams in the league, is considered a threat, but O’Neal and the gang have some good vibes that they might reward their loyal fans with another title, leaving them just one short of the six put together by the Black Kats of Fredericton during the 1980s.
Fans continue to chatter over the success of the local team. With an enrolment of just over 400 students, they just go on turning out stars, acting as a feeder system for the Mounties, where grads of the local system play a major role in the university’s success.
In addition of the three Cs – commitment, conditioning and coaching – the success of the local minor system is also credited with preparing boys to move up to play a man’s game.
On Saturday, Joe Carpenter booted a convert and the scoring was completed when Riverview conceded a two-point safety.
With the schedule reaching the midway point, O’Neal believes it is important for the fan base to be at every game to provide the necessary encouragement. So, remember: Jardine Field at 1 p.m. on Saturday with your noisemakers.
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