Titans still Very Much a Contender in Class D

A lot of attention is being paid to Clymer/Sherman/Panama (CSP) and to a smaller extent the Wilson Lakeman and for obvious reasons. Both teams are 2-0 and will play this week Friday up in Niagara County. The other heavyweight matchup will also include teams from Class D.

Gowanda/Pine Valley (G/PV) and Franklinville/Ellicottville (FE) are both undefeated at 2-0. The Panthers defeated two teams that have been struggling the past few years and it’s no surprise G/PV is still unbeaten.

Franklinville/Ellicottville on the other hand is also 2-0 and has been in sectional title games more often than not. Where is the love for the Titans? 21 wins the past three seasons in Varsity and a JV program that has three straight undefeated seasons. Something is working.

The Titans took home an impressive 25-15 road win at Salamanca in Week 1 and then took care of business at home against Silver Creek/Forestville.

Key returning players in Billy Slavinski, Beau Bielecki, Hunter Smith and Isaac Towne are leading the charge for F-E.

The Titans will play back-to-back games against G/PV (2-0) and then Wilson, before heading out to Randolph (0-2) to take on the reigning Class D champs.

Following their much-anticipated rematch with the Cards (lost 30-14 at Highmark in the sectional final), they will have games against Catt/L. Valley, and then JFK, two very winnable games.

As a coach you HATE to look past the opponent in front of you, but as a fan of high school football we’ll gladly look ahead for them. F-E could very well be 7-0 before hosting CSP, who seems poised to make a run.

The confidence the Titans will have built up by then, should it happen, could prove to be a game for the ages, because CSP isn’t taking their foot off the gas any time soon.

Don’t look now, but I see another “Clash of the Titans” waiting in the wings.

Like F-E, CSP is filled with young, hungry and athletic kids as well. Class D deserves more attention, there is some very exciting football yet to be played.