The torch has been passed

The idea behind merging programs/schools is to make smaller teams into one larger, competitive squad.

That has certainly been the case with the Franklinville/Ellicottville Titans as they have won an amazing 38 games in their first four seasons as a merged football program.

The Titans are coming off a very successful 2017 season that saw them go 9-1 and make it all the way to the Stadium where they fell to Maple Grove, 26-15, in the Section VI Class D championship game.

But the Titans will be facing some new challenges this season as they now move forward after graduating core players like QB Brock Blecha and DE/TE Sam Erickson who were key factors in their success.

The Titans will now be looking to a new cast of seniors to step up and lead the way. Namely 6-foot-3, 220 pound Steve Rowland who will play offensive line and defensive end; and junior Zach Wolfer who also returns to the line.

The backfield should be an area of strength and depth as seniors Jacob Peters (DB), Ben Mooney (LB) and Tyler Clear (DB) will all be at running back.

This group now has the task of stepping up and filling the shoes of the previous group that not only helped build the legacy of this young merged program but was the first group to go through the program as products of the unified team from day one.

“Football is a physical sport and you need your brothers out there. I think it’s one of those sports that tends to bring people together naturally,” Titans head coach Chad Bartoszek said. “The group that did just graduated. They were the first group to be four years of just being Titans, so they’re gonna be missed. They put a great stamp on the program. Their careers were filled with great wins and they definitely set the bar.”

Bartoszek said this group, which will also see an influx of talent from their JV squad that fashioned an impressive 6-2 season last year, is dealing with lower numbers. So team unity is essential to the Titans’ success.

Franklinville/Ellicottville will also be dealing with the challenge of going from Class D to Class C South.