The Titans used the same formula they have all year, stingy defence and timely offence, to punch their ticket to the final with a 19-0 win over West Kings Nov. 15 in Canning.
According to head coach Reg Ogilvie, the Titans “were once again led by an attacking and stifling defence that limited West Kings to less than 50 yards of offence.”
The NKEC defence, which is usually a team affair, has now allowed just 49 points in nine games this season – eight regular season contests and one playoff game. The Nov. 15 win over West Kings was NKEC’s second shutout of the season.
Offensively, the Titans were led by Kelvin Upshaw, who had a pair of rushing touchdowns, and kicker Mehmet Zaloglu, an exchange student from Turkey, who contributed “a convert, a field goal and a great punting average that kept West Kings in poor field position for the entire game.”
Michael Ogilvie, the Titans’ leading rusher, made his return to the lineup after missing three games due to injury, and had a good workout. Coach Ogilvie said Michael “should be good to go” this weekend.
Meanwhile, at Central Kings, the Gators had their troubles with Avon View, but managed to pull out a 24-20 win and advance to the final against NKEC.
Speaking Nov. 16, Gators’ head coach Larry Priestnall said the margin of victory might have been higher, but “three times, our receivers had the ball in their hands in the end zone, and dropped it all three times.” CK also missed two field goals.
The Gators did end up with three touchdown receptions – one by Eric Holliefield, the leading CK receiver with eight catches for 86 yards, and two by Geoff Mullen, who also kicked a field goal and three converts to round out the scoring.
For Avon View, Ryan Hebb had a touchdown and a two-point convert. Devin Sexton had a rushing touchdown, and Eugenio Rocco kicked a field goal.
CK quarterback Connor Ross completed 15 of 26 passes for 165 yards and the three touchdowns.
The Gators played without their leading rusher all season, Colton Balsor, who was sidelined due to injury.
Coach Priestnall gave “major kudos” to Nick Clarke, who filled in and rushed for 83 yards on 12 carries. Clarke, he said, “gives you 100 per cent in everything he does.”
Offensively, the Gators “were able to move the ball up and down the field,” and defensively, “it was one of our best performances all season.”
A highlight was an interception by Chet Winter early in the fourth quarter. “We scored off that and went up by 14.” The Avalanche, though, responded to reduce the deficit to four.
"All credit to Avon View," Priestnall said. "Their program is developing well, and they only lose a handful of players."
At the end of the game, Avon View was on the march and had reached the CK seven-yard line. The Gators forced a fumble and recovered the ball, negating the threat.
Priestnall acknowledged the Gators “have a few injuries we have to deal with, but we’re in the championship game, which is where we want to be. We get another shot at NKEC, and we’ll see what happens.”
The Titans (8-1) and Gators (7-2) met twice during the regular season. Central Kings won a 10-9 squeaker Sept. 15 in Cambridge, handing NKEC its only loss of the season. In an evening game Oct. 19 at Acadia, the Titans won by a 34-0 score.
The Titans used the same formula they have all year, stingy defence and timely offence, to punch their ticket to the final with a 19-0 win over West Kings Nov. 15 in Canning.
According to head coach Reg Ogilvie, the Titans “were once again led by an attacking and stifling defence that limited West Kings to less than 50 yards of offence.”
The NKEC defence, which is usually a team affair, has now allowed just 49 points in nine games this season – eight regular season contests and one playoff game. The Nov. 15 win over West Kings was NKEC’s second shutout of the season.
Offensively, the Titans were led by Kelvin Upshaw, who had a pair of rushing touchdowns, and kicker Mehmet Zaloglu, an exchange student from Turkey, who contributed “a convert, a field goal and a great punting average that kept West Kings in poor field position for the entire game.”
Michael Ogilvie, the Titans’ leading rusher, made his return to the lineup after missing three games due to injury, and had a good workout. Coach Ogilvie said Michael “should be good to go” this weekend.
Meanwhile, at Central Kings, the Gators had their troubles with Avon View, but managed to pull out a 24-20 win and advance to the final against NKEC.
Speaking Nov. 16, Gators’ head coach Larry Priestnall said the margin of victory might have been higher, but “three times, our receivers had the ball in their hands in the end zone, and dropped it all three times.” CK also missed two field goals.
The Gators did end up with three touchdown receptions – one by Eric Holliefield, the leading CK receiver with eight catches for 86 yards, and two by Geoff Mullen, who also kicked a field goal and three converts to round out the scoring.
For Avon View, Ryan Hebb had a touchdown and a two-point convert. Devin Sexton had a rushing touchdown, and Eugenio Rocco kicked a field goal.
CK quarterback Connor Ross completed 15 of 26 passes for 165 yards and the three touchdowns.
The Gators played without their leading rusher all season, Colton Balsor, who was sidelined due to injury.
Coach Priestnall gave “major kudos” to Nick Clarke, who filled in and rushed for 83 yards on 12 carries. Clarke, he said, “gives you 100 per cent in everything he does.”
Offensively, the Gators “were able to move the ball up and down the field,” and defensively, “it was one of our best performances all season.”
A highlight was an interception by Chet Winter early in the fourth quarter. “We scored off that and went up by 14.” The Avalanche, though, responded to reduce the deficit to four.
"All credit to Avon View," Priestnall said. "Their program is developing well, and they only lose a handful of players."
At the end of the game, Avon View was on the march and had reached the CK seven-yard line. The Gators forced a fumble and recovered the ball, negating the threat.
Priestnall acknowledged the Gators “have a few injuries we have to deal with, but we’re in the championship game, which is where we want to be. We get another shot at NKEC, and we’ll see what happens.”
The Titans (8-1) and Gators (7-2) met twice during the regular season. Central Kings won a 10-9 squeaker Sept. 15 in Cambridge, handing NKEC its only loss of the season. In an evening game Oct. 19 at Acadia, the Titans won by a 34-0 score.
