All season long, the White Rock Titans have won games thanks in part to a potent offence. But they haven’t faced a defence like this one.
The Nanaimo Redmen face the Titans on Saturday (Nov. 26) across the Strait of Georgia in the Vancouver Mainland Football League semifinals.
It’s a matchup pitting the best offence in the league against the best defence in the league.
“On defence, position always will win over speed,” said Sean Roden, coach of the Redmen. “So we have to be disciplined, follow our game plan and not get drawn out of it.”
He admits the Titans have the best collection of skill players he’s ever seen on an offence. But if his tacklers take good angles to the ball and play fundamentally sound football, the coach thinks they can neutralize the opposition.
“Our defence gives us a chance to win any game against any opponent; I really believe that,” Roden said.
The other side of the ball might be just as interesting, as the Titans have an underrated defence and the Redmen have had their share of struggles offensively this year.
“We’re a very mobile, athletic team with some size and when we’re on our game and we execute and we eliminate the dead-ball fouls, we can really be effective,” Roden said.
Even against an undefeated, No. 1-seeded foe. After all, the Titans (11-0) compiled their impressive record without having to face the Redmen (8-3).
“I really wanted to beat these guys this whole year because I know we’re just as good, if not better than they are,” said Adrian Keller, Redmen linebacker.
Upsetting the Titans won’t be an easy task, but the Redmen don’t mind having to grind one out.
“We’ve done a pretty good job of handling adversity, handling close games,” said Roden. “I guess what it’s going to come down to is that our leaders need to step up and show the way.”
GAME ON … The Redmen and Titans will play Saturday in either White Rock or Cloverdale.
sports@nanaimobulletin.com