The future looks bright for the fledgling football program at Samuel Robertson Technical Secondary School, as the Titans prepare for the 2012 season with strong numbers, and a wealth of experience.
At the helm this season is head coach Mark Ogloff, taking over from teacher-coach Tom Levesque, who accepted an administration position at Pitt Meadows secondary. Ogloff, a parent volunteer, is also the president of the Meadow Ridge Knights community football club, and comes to the program with more than 40 years of football experience, and he likes what he sees.
“They’re a good bunch of kids and they work really well together,” Ogloff said. “This is the most disciplined group we’ve ever had.”
Many on the team were Grade 8s on the inaugural Titans junior varsity squad in 2010, and bring with them three years of high school football experience.
With close to 30 players on the roster, the majority of which are Grade 10s, Ogloff expects strong numbers for when the team moves to senior ball next season.
“We had everything in place to add a senior team for this season, but with the teachers’ strike, it pushed everything back a year,” he said.
At quarterback this season is Daniel Ferro, with Dallas Taylor and Liam Evanow at wide receiver. Running backs Rueben Marin and Emerson Klatt will responsible for most of the Titans running plays.
The team’s offensive line is anchored by centre Jake Maddigan, and flanked by guards Brandon Ramsey and Nikola Damjanovic, and offensive tackles Nate Taylor and Connor Priest.
The team’s defense is led by defensive captain Scott Murdoch at linebacker, who despite his slight five-foot-six, 160-pound build, packs
“In all my years, I’ve never seen a kid his size hit like that,” said Ogloff. “He’s 130 pounds, but he hits like he’s 230.”
Murdoch is already on his second face guard of the season, after hitting a player so hard he bent his first one.
“He’s a little maniac out there,” Ogloff said. “He’s fearless.”
Murdoch is joined by Tyrel Ogloff at linebacker, with both playing behind the team’s linemen, who are playing both ways. Key to the Titans defense will be the team’s corner backs, who will be relied on to contain opposing running backs running a sweep pattern.
The Titans kick off their regular play this afternoon (Wednesday) at home against the Robert Batemen Timberwolves. Game time is at 3:45 p.m.
