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Tri-County Titans Make History
by Unknown Tri-County Contributor, with Added Content by Webmaster

The Tri-County - Oakland Program, drawing players, coaches and fans from Coles, Douglas and Edgar counties, has been in the league since the late 1980s, but had never before won a single playoff game, and had never before brought home a trophy - not even the regular season trophy.

At the beginning of the season no one would have thought that the Titans would make the playoffs, but both age groups did [Tri-County Seventh and Eighth Grade lost a hard fought playoff game against Palestine-Hutsonville last week]. After the third game of the fifth and sixth grade season Tri-County was sitting at 1-2. That first week was a rough one, with a loss to Casey-Westfield of 20 to 0. The following week the Titans came back to beat Martinsville 20-8 and then in that third game of the season it was a close one, losing to Paris 6-0. The Tri-County vs. Paris game was a nail biter, with Paris not scoring until the 4th quarter. After that game, the Titans obviously made it their mission to work hard and start winning some games. The Titans lost no more - and seemed to pick up steam as the season went on. When they went into the last game of the regular season, they knew they had to win to keep themselves in third place. If Tri-County had lost this game they would have been tied for third with two other teams, Cumberland and Marshall. There was no way the Titans wanted to leave their playoff future up to a coin toss. They went into Cumberland with a mission, and accomplished it with a 34-6 win.

Everyone in Tri-County was very confident going into the playoff game at Casey; we knew that the team had gotten better with each week. With that being said we knew it was not going to be easy because the Tri-County program has never won a playoff game, and Casey-Westfield has been the league dominator for at least the last five years. The 34 to 12 win over Casey-Westfield provided a rematch with Paris in the Playoff Championship.

The Paris loss earlier in the season was a hard one to swallow and had been a major motivator to win. That first day back at practice after the win in Casey the Titans enjoyed Pizza and a ride around Oakland on the Fire Truck, but after the fun it was all business. The boys and girl worked very hard to ensure that they knew exactly what each one's job was going into the Championship Game. Saturday Morning came with breakfast prepared by Coach Davey and Coach Steve and a quick run through their plays. Coaches and players knew it was not going to be an easy game; they were going to have to work hard until the end for that win. The Titans came out to play and by half-time were leading 18-0, with the end result of an 18-6 victory over Paris for the Playoff Championship.

This team was the first in the Webmaster's memory that won the Championship without also having at least tied the league for the best season plus playoff record. The ability to overcome the adversity, like a 1 and 2 start, is a hallmark of champions, and of teams with great character.

The Titan staff and supporters are all so proud of each and every one of our players. Thanks for a great season guys and thanks also to Sydney.

Eighth Graders Never Lost a Game
by Webmaster

Casey-Westfield and Palestine-Hutsonville, both first-rate teams, fought valiantly for the Seventh and Eighth Grade Championship, but the talent for the Casey-Westfield Braves is so exceptional for a community this size, and kids this age, that the Braves predictably built up a large margined victory.

The Palestine-Hutsonville Pioneers provided good competition in this game. The Pioneers, under coach Dusty Elder's tenure, have become quite competitive in both age groups, have been well coached, have fielded teams determined to win and have had talented players. This particular group of players has won often, and on those occasions this group has lost, the players seem indignant, stunned and hurt to have lost. And on these occasions, the team has appeared to try its best to the end, long past the hope of victory.

The first half of the game was very close, and both teams had issues with turnovers at points thoughout the game. In particular, Casey-Westfield flubbed several center-quarterback exchanges, strange for a pair experienced with each other. Late in the second quarter, Casey-Westfield led by 12 to 8, but had a breakaway touchdown with one minute to go in the first half. Only Braves scored after that.

The Pioneers had several decent drives in the second half, and took the ball away from the Braves on at least one occasion. But the Pioneers turned over the ball themselves, or had drives stall against the Braves stiff defense.

Typical of the Pioneers, the team was devastated by the loss, but led both teams in prayer after the game. The Braves appeared to expect victory from pre-game through the final siren, and although happy, were somewhat reserved in victory. Each team treated the other with respect in a genuine voicing of "good game" to the other side.

The Braves offense has been led all year by quarterback Elkins, and running backs Currey and Lucas, all eighth graders. In 2008, these kids were 9 and 0, and helped squeak by East Central 16 to 14 in the Championship. In 2009, the class led the fifth and sixth grade to another 9 and 0 season, shutting out Marshall in the final. The class played a subordinate role in the seventh and eighth grade 2010 team, but significantly contributed to a no loss season with 9 shutout victories, and helped dominate Marshall for the Championship. It's been quite a roll, and the Casey-Westfield high school program is looking forward to gaining these guys.

The Allstar Teams were honored in the break between Championship games, centerfield, by receiving a handshake, congratulations and their certificate personally from the League President, Dan Truelove in a ceremony shared by League and fans alike. After each player had received the award, they assembled facing the grandstand, for applause and pictures. Everyone in the League appreciates the players' talent, work ethic and sportsmanship.

Fifth and Sixth Grade Team

CASEY-WESTFIELD

Elijah Escalante
Jarod Brandenburg
John Newlin
Kyle Carver

CUMBERLAND
Evan James
Ryan Yaw

MARSHALL

Garrett Frank
Cole Boyer
Cody Turner

MARTINSVILLE

Dalton Rollings
Aaron Fry

OBLONG

Jayce Fielder

PALESTINE-HUTSONVILLE

Ethan Williams

PARIS

Kayin Lawson
Brodie Spencer
Angus Beabout
Chase Reed
Alec Smith

TRI-COUNTY

Kaden Weddle
Conrad Gavin
Trey Taylor
Donovan Smith

Seventh and Eighth Grade Team

CASEY-WESTFIELD

Isaac Elkins
Ethan Lucas
Brett Currey
Coltin Cown
Corey Carver

CUMBERLAND

Danny Duniphan
Levi Swingler

MARSHALL

Devon Sherrill
Jordan Matzke
Tanner Liffick

MARTINSVILLE

Justin Smith

OBLONG

Dalton Noblit

PALESTINE-HUTSONVILLE

Ben Martinez
Blake Moore
Jonathan Sheil
Jacob Weaver

PARIS

Zach Cox
Jacob Scott

TRI-COUNTY

Gage Duzan
Dalton Skiles
Ben Miller
Michael Hudson