Rockets too much for Titans

By: Dan Crawley | mcdowell_youth@yahoo.com
Published: October 25, 2009

ASHEVILLE — It has been a tough, three-week period for the McDowell Titans. They have faced, without a doubt, the best the Mountain Athletic Conference has to offer this season.
That string of tough competition continued Friday night as McDowell was shut out 43-0 by the A.C. Reynolds Rockets in a rainy road game.
The Titans fall to 1-9 overall and 1-4 in the MAC going into next week's season finale Friday at home against Enka (7:30 kickoff).
During this three-game stretch the Titans have been overpowered against stronger and faster competition. McDowell has given up an average of 49 points per game over the past three weeks.
Meanwhile the Titans' offense, which has also had a hard time, struggled again on Friday in less-than-perfect conditions.
A.C. Reynolds (7-2 overall, 3-1 MAC 4A/3A) held a 368-72 advantage in total yards. McDowell was able to manage only five first downs the entire contest. It wasn't until the 5:36 mark in the second quarter when the Titans picked up their initial first down of the night.
McDowell crossed midfield only three times, with the first coming on a 12-yard reception from Dakota Arrowood to Jared Carver with 1:14 left in the half.
The Titans got as close as the Reynolds 43 before the half ended. That would end up being McDowell's best offensive advancement of the evening.
The Rockets scored a pair of touchdowns in the first quarter and never looked back. Tailback A.J. Marion (7 carries, 139 yds, 2 TDs) broke a run up the middle for 48 yards to put Reynolds ahead 8-0 three minutes in.
Joey Papay (11 carries, 130 yds, 3 TDs) added a score with 1:04 left in the first, capping off a drive with a 1-yard run to increase the Rockets' lead to 14-0.
Then, after forcing another McDowell three-and-out, Reynolds found itself with favorable field position in Titans Territory.
Papay strung off runs of 6 and 18 yards to get the Rockets inside the 20.
Then, with 9:20 left in the first half, quarterback Okoye Porter found Mark Montini on the right sideline for a 10-yard touchdown pass to give Reynolds a commanding 22-0 lead, which in effect sealed the victory
Papay and Marion each scored an additional touchdown on the ground to push the margin to 36-0 at the half. Papay added his final score on a 13-yard run midway through the third quarter.
Tim Velez, who started in the backfield in place of the injured Cameron Moore, led the Titans offensively with 53 yards rushing on 15 carries.

Rockets too much for Titans

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