Titans looking forward to 2012 grid season

On the surface, it might seem the McDowell Titans’ 3-8 football season isn’t a big deal.

But you don’t have to dig very deeply to find out how much the 2011 campaign meant to the Titans program.

After two consecutive winless seasons that saw them lose by an average margin of 29 points, McDowell was competitive in all but a couple of outings in 2011 and could have easily reversed its record.

The Titans suffered hard-luck losses in each of their first four games, losing by one point at both R-S Central and East Rutherford, two points against Mitchell and a touchdown versus Avery. Throw in a 17-14 double-overtime loss at A.C. Reynolds, and five of McDowell’s defeats came by a total of 14 points.

Despite those disheartening losses, the Titans competed harder – and consequently accomplished more – than any McDowell club in recent memory. In 2011, the Titans snapped a 31-game losing streak (which included a win on the field that was later forfeited), held three of their opponents (including two of the last three) to fewer than 100 yards of offense and won their final two games, finishing with a 28-7 trouncing of North Wilkes last Friday.

And even though McDowell missed out on the playoffs, it was a decidedly satisfying way to end the season, and fourth-year head coach Carson Gowan found plenty of reasons to be upbeat about next year.

“We see a lot of positives,” said Gowan. “We’re really looking forward to next year. Winning against Enka and North Wilkes was really big for us. And really, the two-overtime loss at A.C. Reynolds – a lot of people may not understand this – but for our kids, it picked us up. We went to the wall with them (Reynolds) and made it as physical as they wanted it to be, and it didn’t bother us.

“We were 3-8, but we were a whole level better than that.”

And Gowan, whose club was decidedly junior-heavy, said the team’s seniors were a big reason why.

“The seniors did a really good job,” he said. “Not all of them started or played a whole lot, but you don’t have to be a starter to be a leader. It’s about the way you do things on the practice field, being there every day, being on time. Those kinds of things add up to success for any team in any sport. And the juniors had a great work ethic too, and fell into that routine.

“The jayvee team was in the same mold. We finished with seven wins, and we got tougher as we went along. The sophomores we had back from last year instilled that toughness in the ninth graders just like the seniors did with the younger players (on the varsity team).”

Gowan said the team’s work ethic fostered a mental toughness than helped carry them through some difficult times.

“We became tough minded as the season wore on,” said Gowan. “When you lose two or three games by a point or two, you’ve got to be tough-minded because if you’re not, you’ll do what a lot of people would do and fold up the tents. But these kids just shrugged it off and went on to the next one and kept on playing.”

And they played hard. McDowell was unquestionably a harder-hitting team than any MHS club in the recent past. The squad’s aggressiveness hearkened back to a time when the Titans were known for their spirited play.

“We were aggressive within the rules,” said Gowan, “and we would hit you and we ran to the football on defense all the time instead of just on game night. We hadn’t seen that in a couple of years. I attribute that to the kids’ work ethic and their parents’ work ethics.”

Just how solid were the Titans’ work habits?

“This has really been one of the best teams I’ve ever been around as far as the character of the kids,” said Gowan, who was a star player at McDowell and an assistant coach for 20 seasons before taking over in 2008. “It’s definitely in the top 10.”

Next year’s squad should end up looking similar to this one; as many as seven full- or part-time starters return on each side of the ball, many more returners saw quality minutes, and the junior varsity club posted a promising 7-3 mark.

That’s good news for McDowell fans.

And speaking of fans, Gowan was quick to thank those who showed up in 2011, when the Titans consistently played for large home crowds.

“The support we got was outstanding,” said Gowan. “We did really well at the gate, and that goes into all athletics. Football and basketball have got to make some money, and it helps out everything from swimming to softball. The fans need to be thanked and commended for that. We appreciated their support all year long, and we appreciated them staying with us. Even though we lost some games, the fans saw some good games and we’re looking forward to seeing everybody in 2012.”

The Titans’ diehard fans are no doubt anxiously awaiting that reunion as well.