Single-Wing Surge

Second Half Surge Sends

Titans To 22-0 Win; Davy

Brostowitz Has 3 Teedees

A strong defensive effort along with three touchdowns from senior halfback Davy Brostowitz sparked the Lena-STAA Titans to a 22-0 win over Crandon Thursday.

The Titans spent most of the opening half deep in Crandon’s territory but couldn’t put up any points. Their first drive stalled at the one, second march at the 9, third on a fumble at the 37, fourth resulted in a punt and the fifth was stopped at the Cardinal 21 at halftime.

The second half was a different story as the Titans scored on the opening possession of the third quarter and twice within a span of 62 seconds in the final period to pocket the win.

“I was very happy with the play of our defense the whole game. Crandon is a very good team and we were able to shut down their wishbone offense. We struggled offensively in the first half before getting our blocking adjustments straightened out in the second half. We could have very easily went in the tank but our kids didn’t allow that to happen. That is a credit to them,” co-head coach Dale Lange said.

While the Titan defense kept Crandon off the scoreboard, senior running back Davy Brostowitz took over for an injured Bryan Klister and rambled for 90 yards and a trio of touchdowns to spark the single wing attack. Brostowitz hit paydirt on a 25 yard jaunt in the third frame then added runs of 3 and 5 yards in the fourth period.

Klister was forced to the sidelines after dislocating his elbow at the 8:55 mark of the opening quarter.

“On our first drive Klister, who is our fastest runner, was heading to the end zone when he slipped at the 3 yard line. To break his fall, he put his arm down, fell on it and dislocated his elbow. We are not certain how long he’ll be out...will have to wait and see,” Lange added.

The Titans should have taken control on their opening two drives as they wasted golden scoring opportunities.

Paul Belongia blocked Crandon’s first punt setting the Titans up at the 28. It looked like certain points. Klister carried 3 straight times and six of the first 8 running plays, including a clutch fourth down burst to the one. He lost 4 yards on first down then was lost for the game on the next play as he slipped and injured his elbow. Quarterback Ed Ellman reeled off 4 yards on third down before Brostowitz was stopped short of the end zone on fourth down.

The Titan defense kept Crandon pinned in the shadow of their own goal post and got great field possession after a short punt. Starting at the Cardinal 17, the Titans offense sputtered as three runs gained 8 yards before Zach Klister was stopped for no gain on fourth down.

A pass interception by Tyler Wagner in the end zone short-circuited the Cardinals final drive of the half and almost set up a late Titan score. Starting at their own 20, the Titans advanced to the Crandon 38 on a 34 yard pass from Zach Klister to Adam Tappa. Klister motored 12 yards to the 26 and Brostowitz 5 more before the half ended.

Following the halftime break, the Titans snapped the scoreless contest on their opening possession of the third frame with a 8 play, 62 yard drive. Brostowitz got the call 6 times before finding the comforts of the end zone on a 25 yard scamper at the 7:07 mark. Zach Klister booted the point after for a 7-0 lead.

The Titans needed just 62 seconds to pad the cushion to 22-0 in the fourth quarter.

After a flurry of fumbles, Tom Beschta set up his mates at the Crandon 8. Three plays later Brostowitz bounced in from 3 yards out then added the conversion run for a 15-0 spread at the 5:53 mark.

Three plays after the ensuing kickoff, Belongia recovered a bobble at the Crandon 17. Two Brostowitz runs produced points with the second coming from 5 yards out (4:51). Klister tacked on the PAT for that 22-0 final score.

“Our defense forced six fumbles in the game and we recovered all of them. It was a good win but we still have work to do,” Lange concluded.

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Peshtigo Times - 841 Maple St - Peshtigo, WI 54157
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Lena High School - 304 E Main St - Lena, WI 54139
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