T.C. Loses 24-7 for Their Third Consecutive Loss
Hunter Langley
Saturday, September 22, the Patriot Pioneers traveled from Nokesville to take on the T.C. Titans. The titans had lost their lost their previous two games prior to the matchup. The Pioneers who are known primarily as a offensive team came out strong on defense. The Titans got less than 100 yards passing and put up less than 200 yards of total offense.
The game was mainly one of defense up until midway through the third quarter. The Titans offense did not produce when given opportunities. The Titans defense created 6 turnovers giving the Titans excellent field position multiple times and they could not capitalize on the situations.
The Titans quarterback dilemma continued this week with junior Robert Longerbeam starting at quarterback. He was more effective running the football than passing it as he only completed four passes for 38 yards and an interception throwing the football while gaining 69 yards on the ground running it.
On the quarterback situation, junior quarterback and safety Ricardo Ross said, “Me, [Robert Longerbeam] and Jack [Rossi] are all good quarterbacks. I feel like coach puts the best man in the spot that he feels is going to help us win. I kind of like the the three quarterback system because teams cannot prepare or be ready at all for us if we switch it up during the game.”
In the back half of the third quarter the Patriot offense exploded. They put up 10 points and they really got their passing game going with senior quarterback Chris Sonnenberg looking comfortable in the pocket. With three minutes to go in the 3rd quarter the T.C. crowd started chanting “put in Rossi” calling for senior quarterback Jack Rossi to be the man under center.
The early fourth quarter was almost all clock management by the Pioneers as they were trying to run down the clock and not give the Titans an option to comeback. After Patriot took a 24-0 lead, T.C. put in Rossi and he was able to conduct a touchdown drive before the end of the game make the final score 24-7 and avoiding a shutout
The Titans have a bye week next week giving them the ability to rest, prepare, and square up all rough edges going into the final stretch before taking on rival West Potomac.
