T-G-U tangles with Central McLean
This afternoon, Oct. 31 is another big road test for Towner-Granville-Upham, but that’s old hat for the Titans.
T-G-U has extended its season already with playoff road victories at Divide County and Mott-Regent.
The squad will try to make it three in a row when it travels to Turtle Lake to face Central McLean at 1:30 p.m.
The Cougars feature one of the best power running games, T-G-U coach Scott Thorson said. CM is led by Grant Singer and Matt Landenberger who combined for 179 yards rushing and two scores in CM’s 26-6 second round victory over St. John.
“It’s going to come down to whether we can stop the run,’ Thorson said. “They are going to pound it at you. They are a team that’s not going to pass a lot.”
The Titans would be better served if they can take an early lead and get Central McLean out of its comfort zone of running a ball-controlled offense.
“Scoring first is always a goal for us,’ Thorson said. “However, if it doesn’t happen, you have to be ready to respond.”
T-G-U will present challenges of its own for the Cougars. The Titans have proven they can pass or throw the ball, and the return of senior Ian Keller gives them more options on offense. Quarterback Tyler Thorson was held to just 18 yards rushing against Mott-Regent, but threw for 130 yards.
Unlike its game with Mott-Regent, T-G-U has a full week to prepare for the Cougars who have reached the playoffs the past two seasons.
The road trip will be much shorter, too.
“Right now we’re not as concerned about being on the road,’ Thorson said. “We’re happy and excited to still be playing and we’re going to go into the game giving it our best.”