Titans Hold Off Rangers for 24-15 Win May 2, 2009
Phx., AZ: The Tri-City Titans, after jumping off to an 18-0 lead in the first half held off a late charge by the Glendale Rangers for their second CFL Copper Bowl Championship victory, 24-15. The Titans late in the 1st quarter put 6 points on the board with a Tommy Ziegler pass completion to # 18 J. Mack for a 21 yard TD. The PAT (Point After Touchdown) was not good. Titans defense held the Rangers scoreless in the first quarter. With 9:12 remaining in the half, Titan LB # 24 Anthony Robinson carried the ball for a two-yard TD run. The Titans PAT was no good. Score Titans 12 –0. Again the Titans held the Rangers scoreless and mounted another march down the field. With 3:09 remaining in the half, Ziegler’s accurate arm completed a 35 yard pass to WR # 1 Ben Ball, placing the Titans on the Ranger 6 yard line. The Ranger defense stepped up holding the Titans on 4th and goal from the 1-yard line, gaining possession of the ball, 1st and ten from their own 1-yard line. The back and forth defensive play of both teams made their presence known as the Titans, with 1:31 remaining in the half had the ball 1st and ten at the Ranger 20 yard line. With 1:23 remaining Titans QB Tommy Ziegler connected for a 20-yard TD pass to Titans WR # 3 Kentrell Williams. The Titans PAT was no good. The half ended with the score 18-0 Titans, as the Titans defense again stopped an impressive drive by the Rangers on the Titans 33 yard line. There is no question that this game was about which defense would decide this game, as both were fierce on the line and in the back field, covering receivers every time the ball took flight.. The second half was more of the same, but the Rangers got their offense into action. With 8:37 ramaining in the 3rd quarter, the Rangers used the services of their Rover # 20 Jose Virgil for a 7-yard TD run. Ranger kicker # 11 Chad Werley aced the PAT. Score Titans 19- Rangers 7. It was now time for the Ranger defense to step up their play and they did. With 5:20 remaining in the 3rd quarter, Ranger DE # 20 Jose Virgil caught the Titans behind the goal line for a safety. Score Titans 18 – Rangers 9. Fans in the stands on the Ranger side of the field sensed a Rangers comeback as they sent their dependable kicker, # 11 Chad Werley onto the field to attempt a 47-yard field goal. He did not let his teammates down, sending the ball down the middle for three points. Score Titans 18- Rangers 12. Back and forth possessions resulted with the Rangers again going to Werley for a field goal. Again Werley hit the mark with a 32-yard field goal. Score Titans 18- Rangers 15. With only three points separating these two teams, the championship was up for grabs. With 7:11 remaining in the game, Titans QB Tommy Ziegler went to the air, connecting with one of his favorite receivers, # 1 WR Ben Ball for a 25 yard TD play. The Titans PAT was no good. Score Titans 24 – Rangers 15. The final Titan TD proved to be the game sealer for the defending Cooper Bowl Champions. Titans QB Ziegler’s experience and accurate arm went 15/27 for a total of 229 yards and 1 interception. His favorite target for the night was WR # 1 Ben Ball who had 7 receptions for 123 yards and a TD. Ball was voted the game’s MVP. On the ground the lead rusher for the Titans was veteran TB # 28 Myron McGruder who had 7 carries for 59 yards. Titans TB # 12 Robert Jones had 8 carries for 27 yards. The Glendale Rangers passing game was stymied by the effective Titan defense, completing only 3/14 for 55 yards. The Ranger rushing game was lead by FB # 32 Laz Avila who had 11 carries for 37 yards. Also on the ground for the Rangers rushing was Rover # 20 Jose Virgil who had 6 carries for 36 yards. Total offensive yards for the Rangers was 129, while the Titans tallied a total of 302 yards on offense. This was truly a championship game. It had it all, safety; TDs, field goals and a strong comeback charge by the Rangers in the 2nd half to get within 3 points. To the victor goes the CFL Copper Bowl VII 2009 Championship Trophy. At midfield, League Commissioner Adam Richman presented the trophy to Tri-City Titans owners Lisa and Jim Shipp. “A well played exciting game that was won by the best team of the day” noted Richman. Additionally Titans players were presented with the traditional Championship t-shirts. If you want to see this exciting game, visit the league videographer’s website Agape Productions to purchase the $25.00 DVD which will be available within a few weeks. To the fans in the stands who came out in droves, you got to see what the CFL is all about, competitive adult football. Congratulations to the Tri-City Titans for their back-to-back championship win. |
