Sunday Titans Wrap - July 20, 2008

The Tri-County Titans are a minor league football team based in Orange County, Ca. They are part of the LaBelle Community Football League that has teams all over California. Last night, they played their first home game of the season against the Orange County Jaguars.

The game began with the Titans winning the coin toss and electing to kick. The first possession of each team did not result in points but the Jaguars drew first blood with a touchdown at the 9:11 mark in the first quarter. The resulting point after was no good. Later, the Jaguars were able to force a safety. Titans CB Jaray Austin (9) intercepted a Jaguars pass in the waning seconds of the half. Score at halftime 8-0 Jaguars.

When the second half began, a new Titans team took the field. The team buckled down and started to get points on the board. In the 3rd quarter, CB Jaray Austin (9) again intercepted the Jaguars but this time ran in for the touchdown. The resulting two point try was good, caught by WR Terrance Moore (88), making the score 8-8. Coach Manny Ojeda commented on what an emotional game this was turning out to be for the team at this point. The Jaguars were their cross-town rivals and it was obvious these teams were well acquainted with one another.

Next, a back and forth scoring exchange – the Jaguars scored again, making the score 15-8. The Titans scored again with just over 6:00 in the 3rd quarter, WR Terrance Moore (88) making the touchdown. The resulting point after was good and the score was again tied, 15-15. The Jaguars scored again with 1:10 left in the 3rd and made good on the point after to make the score 22-15 in favor of the Jaguars. The Jaguars picked up another safety, making the score 24-15. With 1:49 left in the game, WR De’Von Edwards scored a touchdown for the Titans and the resulting extra point was good. The score was then 24-22 in favor of the Jaguars. The onside kick after didn’t go the way the Titans had hoped and the game ended in favor of the Jaguars.

One of the most exciting things about the game was the feeling of community and family. Amongst the crowd cheering for the Titans were members of the Southern California Breakers IWFL team. Titans head coach Manny Ojeda is one of the assistant coaches for the Breakers and they were present to support their beloved mentor. The Southern California football community is indeed one that supports each other. I saw people in uniform playing that I used to see supporting the Breakers at their games and now witnessed that come full circle with Breakers in street clothes supporting the Titans. Team owner Linda Clarke echoed the sentiment of family and community in an interview that will be on this site tomorrow.

Up next: The Titans face the Desert Valley Spartans on the road. The next game that will be covered here will be the match on August 9th against the South Bay Skulls at Mira Costa High School. You can find the full season schedule here. Stay tuned for more interviews with other members of the Titans and other teams in the LCFL as the season progresses. Follow Titans football here through their regular season that goes until the end of September and any post-season activity as well.