On the 17th of June 2023, Titans u14's (Purple) embarked on a challenging 170-mile journey to Accrington to face the formidable teams from the Northern region. Before going up against these renowned opponents, our young and talented team took on a familiar rival, the Nuneaton Jaguars, in the first game. The Titans wasted no time in asserting their dominance, with QB1 Alice leading the way. Alice showcased exceptional skills, throwing an incredible 6 touchdown passes and completing 5 two-point conversions. The Titans offense proved unstoppable, relentlessly racking up yards and adding to the scoreboard. Alice effectively distributed the ball, resulting in 3 receiving touchdowns for Ryder, 3 for James and another 3 two-point conversions. Additionally, Franek contributed receiving the other two conversations and Lennon displayed remarkable performance on the ground, including a sensational 40+ yard touchdown run. Even u11 player, Khymari, stepped up to showcase his talent by scoring a long touchdown run up the Titans sideline. While the Titans' offense delivered impressive numbers, the Titans' defence, led by Kian and Lawrence, stifled the Jaguars' efforts, resulting in an astounding 54-0 shutout victory.

In the second game, the Titans faced the Northern flag football powerhouse, the Burnley Tornados. The Titans struggled to find their rhythm early on and conceded a long touchdown pass, putting them at an 18-0 disadvantage. Despite the game being out of reach, the Titans never surrendered and displayed remarkable resilience, and managing to score a late touchdown (Alice to Ryder) at the final whistle, resulting in an 18-6 defeat.

With one win and one loss, the Titans earned a place in the Quarterfinals against the Nuneaton Jaguars once again. Alice continued to lead a dominant aerial assault, bombarding the Jaguars defence with an additional 4 touchdown passes to Franek, James (2), and Ryder. Lennon contributed another amazing touchdown run, gracefully manoeuvring through the Jaguars defence to the cheers of the sideline. The Titans emerged victorious with a score of 32-14, securing a spot in the semi-finals.

In the semi-finals, the Titans faced the physically imposing players of the aptly named Sheffield Giants. The Giants swiftly took the lead, overpowering the Titans with their exceptional power running and aiming to seal the game. However, players like the raw but immensely talented Talal refused to be intimidated, matching the Giants' physicality and effectively shutting down their passing attack. With the game slipping away, Franek delivered an outstanding run for a touchdown just before halftime, ensuring that the Titans remained within striking distance. In need of a comeback, the Titans rallied together, completely shutting down the Giants in the second half. Ryder, Kian, and Lawrence formed an impenetrable wall that the Giants could not overcome. On offense, Alice led the Titans on a scoring drive, connecting with James for another touchdown and a two-point conversion. Trailing by 5 points in the final seconds of the game, facing a 4th and long situation, the Titans needed a miracle. It arrived in the form of a clutch play that defined the season: Ryder launched a deep, high pass towards the back of the endzone, defying gravity James outjumped a Giant to secure the ball before falling back to earth. The Titans' sideline erupted with joy as they clinched a 20-19 victory, earning a place in the finals.

In the finals, the Titans were pitted against the experienced and seasoned Burnley Tornados again. Led by Ryder's exceptional blitzing, the Titans' defence managed to limit the Tornados to a mere 6 points. However, despite moving the ball effectively, the Titans' offense struggled to reach the endzone under intense pressure. In a fiercely contested game, the Titans narrowly missed out on victory, ultimately losing by a score of 6-0.

This marked the Titans' second appearance in the finals of the BAFA tournament this season, highlighting their continued pursuit of the regional title. As we reach the halfway point of the season, the Titans have firmly established themselves as a formidable force to be reckoned with. With sights set on achieving BritBowl Glory, the team's determination and skill make them a strong contender in the upcoming matches.

Marcel Baker