The Lorain Titans turned what looked at first to be a tough 2016 into a season where the team made it all the way to the regional championship game before falling to Powell Olentangy Liberty 24-20.
They dropped their first two games before running the table, and are hoping that they take their success from 2016 with a strong returning senior class and make it even further this season.
“We’re excited about our senior group of guys, I know I say that every year but this is the first class that was freshman, and now they are seniors,” Titans coach Dave McFarland said.
McFarland, who was awarded the Cleveland Browns State of Ohio Coach of the Year for last year, says that he’s putting emphasis on that senior class to lead the way for the rest of the team.
“We expect them to be the hardest workers,” McFarland said. “They’ve done a great job leading in camp, that’s probably the most exciting thing right now.”
Already boasting a strong offensive line, the Titans have been working more on throwing the football, and this summer quarterback Justin Sturgill and the offense have been getting in sync for more big plays.
“I think our quarterback has really progressed, we’ve been throwing the ball downfield really well,” McFarland said.
“Hopefully we can continue to do that, we’ve had trouble throwing the ball downfield, Justin came back this summer stronger.”
The Titans won the Lake Erie League last season, but McFarland isn’t taking anything for granted for 2017, knowing that the conference will once again be a dogfight.
Teams like Cleveland Heights, Bedford and Maple Heights will put up a fight and not make it easy on the Titans taking home the LEL without a fight.
“A lot of Division I athletes in that conference, you get into the playoffs, it’s almost a blessing,” McFarland said.
“It’s a really brutal conference, the kids are physical, they are fast, when you talk about talent, the LEL is loaded with talent.”
The Titans wrapped up 2016 8-2 overall in the regular season, and a perfect 5-0 in LEL play. With returning players such as Myron Wilson, David Larson, Rashuan Rogers and Gabe Larson, the group will do what they can to make 2017 one to remember.
“You know how it goes, you have to evaluate your scrimmages and you have to get ready,” McFarland said.
With an opening night tussle with the Middies of Midview, the Titans will find out quickly just how good they are, and if they can get off to a quicker start and make another playoff run with this talented group.
2017 Schedule
8/25 7:00p Midview (Grafton, OH)
Location: Lorain High School
9/1 7:00p John F. Kennedy (Cleveland, OH)
Location: Lorain High School
9/7 7:00p Elyria (Elyria, OH)
Location: Lorain High School
9/15 7:00p @ Garfield Heights (Garfield Heights, OH)
Location: Garfield Heights High School
9/22 7:00p Football North (Mississauga, Ontario)
Location: Lorain High School
9/29 7:00p Cleveland Heights (Cleveland Heights, OH)
Location: Lorain High School
10/6 7:00p Warrensville Heights (Warrensville, OH)
Location: Lorain High School
10/13 7:00p Maple Heights (Maple Heights, OH)
Location: Lorain High School
10/20 7:00p @ Bedford (Bedford, OH)
Location: Bedford High School
10/27 7:00p @ Shaw (East Cleveland, OH)
Location: Shaw High School
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