The HTRS Titan football squad moved to 2-0 for the third consecutive season when they beat Deshler on the road last Friday night, 44-26. HTRS controlled the game throughout but struggled to pull away.
Junior Brogan Dunlap hauled in a 23-yard TD pass from Hunter Bohling in the first quarter to put the Titans out in front 6-0. The Dragons answered with their own score, tying the contest at six by the end of the first period.
The game remained tight in the second stanza. The Titan’s JJ McQueen plunged in for a two-yard TD run to give HTRS some breathing room at the half, 14-8.
In the third quarter, HTRS began to pull away. First, a one-yard TD run by Bohling made it 20-6, and after a Deshler score, McQueen cut free for a 44-yard score to put HTRS in front 28-12 at the end of the third.
Deshler cut into the lead to open the fourth, scoring on a five-yard run to make it a ten-point game, 28-18. Coach Caleb Lempka got the answer from his team that he needed when McQueen sprinted for a 56-yard TD run to put the Titan advantage back to 18 at 36-18. The Dragons again answered, but a seven-yard run by Bohling made the final 44-26.
Deshler maintained a slight advantage in total yards at 323-298. HTRS passed for 74 yards and ran for 224.
Bohling completed 4/10 pass attempts for 74 yards, a score and two interceptions. Dunlap did most of the damage for the Titans through the air, snagging three balls for 66 yards and a TD. McQueen tore it up on the ground, rushing for 146 yards and two scores on 16 attempts. McQueen had a long of 55 yards on the night. Bohling added 72 yards on 18 attempts, including one TD.
On the defensive side, it was Bohling and McQueen leading the way. Bohling finished with seven stops and two assists, while McQueen had six tackles and four assists. Drayven Lamb had a big night on defense, finishing with two interceptions and one fumble recovery.
The Titans are on the road again on Friday, September 8, when they travel to Wymore to take on the 1-1 Raiders. Southern got past Diller-Odell last week in a close contest, 22-14.
