DeLAND, Fla. – The University (Port Orange) Titans played host to the Gateway Panthers in what would be an instant classic in this series of two very evenly matched teams this season.
The Gateway Panthers came in undefeated at 2-0, and the University Titans were also 2-0. Someone had to lose, right?
Last season's match-up between these two squads saw University down Gateway 30-0 in an uneven game. That would not be the case this year, however.
This game would see the Panthers of Gateway jump out to an early 13-0 lead before the end of the first quarter.
Going into half, the Titans of University High were down 13-6, but no heads were down and there was nothing but electricity and excitement for the second half coming from both sidelines. Standing on the sidelines, you could just feel the raw emotion, neither team wanted to lose.
Coach Mike Vogt of the Titans was livid at halftime, letting his players know that though they had seemingly made many mistakes in the first half, the second half would belong to them.
And so it seemed that way.
Not even five minutes into the third quarter, the Titans tied the game 13-13 with their first possession of the second half.
The Titans Drove the ball right down the field and into the heart of the opponent with a balanced and well called running attack.
Titan defensive lineman Randy Dominikow and linebacker Mike Gray were the two support beams leading a very solid Titan defense that held an active Panther offense to 0 points in the second half. No matter what the Panthers tried doing, running or passing, nothing seemed to work.
Not the same with the Titans, though.
After grinding and grinding with a punishing ground game, the Titans eventually scored the go-ahead and eventual game-winning touchdown with seven minutes left to go in the game, thanks to a strong run by Deon Anderson.
The Titans proved victorious on this night, but do not count out the Panthers as we enter the middle part of the season, they have a real good team.
In upcoming action for both teams, the Titans are home to Seminole High (Sanford), while the Panthers are home to St. Cloud in Week 4.