Titans set to battle Trojans in home opener

PHILIPSBURG – For the Flint Creek Titans it’s back to basics.

The Titans will open their home schedule this Friday against the Trojans from Troy High School. The game will be at Granite High School in Philipsburg and will start an hour earlier than most contests, kicking off at 6 p.m.

Before we get to the X’s and O’s, let break down some basics.

After a season opening loss to Clark Fork on the road, the Flint Creek Titans have to rebound of they are to keep their hopes of a playoff berth alive in 2019. That seems like an extreme observation for the second week of a season, but with only nine games on the schedule every one counts.

The Titans look to Friday night’s game with the intent of bringing it back to the basics of football. When looking at the difference between the first half and second from last week, Defensive Coordinator JC Holland summed it simply.

“We went back to basics,” said the veteran coach. “I can’t speak for Mike (Cutler, Head Coach), but I don’t think we’ll see as many formations as we did last week. We’ll probably have two or three formations and the kids will know what they’re supposed to do and what their job is.

“On defense we’ll probably go to more to a zone defense and pass coverage.”

Troy suffered an opening week loss to Arlee 68-14. Despite the defeat, The Trojans showed that they are not the same pushover that they were for the last several seasons.

QB Terren Winebark is one of eight returning seniors to the squad and led Troy on both sides of the ball against the Warriors He had 204 yards passing on 15-of-33 passing for three touch downs and three interceptions. He also logged 13 tackles on defense, eight of which were solo efforts.

The Titans will have to rely on their “next man up” mantra with three players missing or nursing injuries for Friday’s matchup. Senior Conley Wagner is out for the season with three bones in his foot broken. He has surgery set for Friday.

Wide receiver Preston Metesh is a game time decision with a deep thigh bruise that he received in the Clark Fork Game. He may play, but will have to see how he feels during pregame.

QB Kade Cutler is expected to see some snaps under center, despite getting a radial fracture of his pinkie finger on his left hand. He is expected to be in a small cast for the game. Cutler has been nursing a dislocated finger injury on his right hand that he received during the preseason.

In last year’s Week 2 matchup, Flint Creek beat the Trojans at Troy, 50-6.