Titans (U17) vs Helsinki 69ers, part I

After taking a tough loss the week before against the first-place Turku Trojans, the TAFT Titans played host to the Helsinki 69ers. Both teams were undermanned as injuries, vacations and Confirmations played their part. Nonetheless, the two teams played a clean but tough game where the Titans would eventually win 34-6.
    After a long 69ers drive would end in a fumble recovery by Tuomas Heikkinen, the Titans took over on their own 30. A drive consisting of passes and runs would end with QB Joona Collier taking it into the end zone from six yards out. Jussi Juutinen would boom his first of four extra points and the Titans would lead 8-0. A short drive by the 69ers would end with a short punt but the Titans couldn't do anything and would have to punt it right back. Another time-consuming drive would end with a fantastic scramble and throw by Otto Laakkonen into the endzone. The extra point would be blocked and the score at halftime was 8-6.
     The second half would be a different story as the Titans line of Tony Hopia, Aleksi Heinonen, Jasper Lindqvist, Elmo Sandberg, Santeri Saastamoinen, Aaro Kankaanpää and Joel Rössi, were able to open huge holes for Heikkinen, who would finish the game with 155 yards rushing. He would take it in from the 4-yard line on the opening drive to put the Titans out in front 16-6. After a safety, and an interception by Viljo Lempinen, Heikkinen would find a hole and run 32 yards for a TD to put the Titans up 26-6 early in the 4th quarter. One more drive would end with Collier taking it in from the 3-yard line to end the scoring at 34-6.
     The coaches had a serious talk with the Titans at the half and they must have listened because it was a different team out there than the first half. The coaches were happy to see that. Nonetheless, slow starts are never something you want and the Titans will have to work hard to change that.
     In a strange scheduling twist, these two teams will play again this coming Saturday, July 25th, at 12:00 at the Velodrom (outside field). The Titans would like to thank the 69ers for a hard fought game and are looking forward to doing it again in a few days!

Text: Mark Collier

Photos of the game by Laura Helminen