TAFT Titans (U17) dominated in Monday Night Lights

Going into the game with their hopes of making the Finals on the line, the TAFT Titans came through with a dominating performance. After having lost to the Helsinki Wolverines earlier this season, the Titans played their most complete game of the year and beat the first-place Wolverines 46-0.

Joona Collier, behind the tremendous line of Santtu Saastamoinen, Joel Rössi, Jesse Nousiainen, Jere Vierikko, Jasper Lindqvist and Emil Mäkinen, would lead the Titans offense to three scoring drives in the first half as the Titans would lead 22-0. First, Severi Partanen powered in from the 5-yard line and Otto Laakkonen added the kick for two. Then Laakkonen would score six as he hauled in a deep pass from Collier, made a great move and outran three defenders for a 40-yd TD. Wilhelm Stigzelius would show off his talents as he caught a perfect pass from Collier and outraced two defenders into the endzone for a 46-yd score.

The Titan defense, lead by Valtteri Forsman, Stigzelius, Viljo Lempinen and Eemeli Tuovinen, would play great all game. They shut down the run game and held a solid passing attack to 133 yards. They would also get an interception by Iivo Koski.

After a TD pass from Collier to Matias Hyytiäinen, who put a great move on the defender, Jesper Korkalainen would take over as QB and lead the final two TD drives. One would end in an Otso Bull 4-yd score and the other would be a beautiful 70-yd pass to Hyytiäinen. The Titan defense would continue their great play in the second half to earn a well-deserved shutout and make their Defensive Coordinator very happy. The Titans would like to thank the Wolverines for a great game.

The Titans now control their own destiny. If they win their last two games of the season, they will earn a spot in the Finals. The first of those games will be this Saturday, at 15:00, in Porvoo versus the always tough Butchers.

Mark Collier, Head Coach