Titans, Lancers both looking to bounce back

The Nashua High School North football team wasn’t the only team to lose a big lead in its season opener.

While the Titans were losing a 21-0 lead to Winnacunnet, Londonderry was blowing a 19-0 lead over Souhegan. Both teams ended up losing, with North going down 27-21 in overtime and the Lancers falling 34-19.

North coach Jason Robie can only speak for his side, but he knows Londonderry will be just as fired up as his own team when the two meet Friday at 7 p.m. at Londonderry High School.

“It’s a division opener,” he said. “Not to take anything away from the out-of-league opener, but this counts now. It’s a home game for them. I imagine they’re probably in the same situation that we were a week ago. I fully expect them to be ready to go. It’s going to be a battle and neither one of us wants to start 0-2.”

The situation for the Titans was a meltdown in the second half against the Warriors. Up three scores, North turned the ball over inside its own 10-yard line just before halftime, and Winnacunnet punched it in to make it a 14-point game at the break.

Momentum shifted there, but things when downhill on the first drive of the second half.

The Warriors got the ball first, and the Titans forced a punt, but a roughing-the-kicker penalty gave Winnacunnet a first down. The Warriors went on to score on that drive.

“That was a huge turn of events,” Robie said. “I was disappointed in our attitude in the second half. When things go downhill, we need to find a way to pick ourselves up and maintain our focus.

“The mental aspect is what disappointed me the most. I know it’s only Week 1, but we’ve been at this thing now for a month. We concentrated on that in practice. The kids know what they expect of themselves. They shouldn’t need this kind of motivation to drive them. They should have it from within because they know that we do have a good football team. What you saw last week in the second half is not indicative of what we are able to do.”

It doesn’t get any easier for North this week, as the Titans will face a Londonderry team that runs the single wing offense. The Lancers are the only team in the state that runs from that formation, and are just one of three teams in New England to do so.

“Every defense has its rules and responsibilities,” Robie said. “Unfortunately, you’ll sometimes play on offense that dictates you change some of those things based on keys and reads. We’ve tried to keep it simple. Too many moving parts and too many things will go wrong.”

The key for Titans is to not lose sight of the football, and to match the physical level of play the Lancers bring to the field.

“If you don’t get to the football and play in a physical manner, you’re going to get pushed around,” Robie said. “These Londonderry kids are tough and proud. They bring their lunch pail every game and we better bring ours because it can be frustrating. When you get frustrated, you stop looking for the things you’re supposed to.”

North will switch out defensive tackles this week, as Tommy Wilson is out after starting last week for Wilson Pena. Pena returns to team up with Joel Pacheco, who had a solid game against Winnacunnet.