With a record-setting effort of 13 wins and one loss, the Tri-City Titans close out their inaugural Copper Football League season by defeating the Tucson Blaze 27-7 in Copper Bowl VI.
Titans' Quarterback and Offensive Coordinator Tommy Ziegler said is very proud of the effort his teammates put forth on the road to the title.
"This is a great group of guys," he said. "They worked very hard to get here and harder again to win."
Returning to his Moon Valley High School Alma Mater, Ziegler threw one interception while completing 11 of 23 passes for two TDs and 165 yards, adding to his stellar season. "With a record of 12-1 going in, this is the best team this league has ever seen," he said. "It was nice to come back home (to MVHS) and win."
Owner Jim Shipp said he is very proud of each member of his team and called the Titans "The little team that could"…and did".
"It was kind of like the 'Bad News Bears'. We had to start from scratch and we built at team that we knew right from the start would be great," he said. "There is no weak spot on our team from the water boy up. This thing was done through talent and prayer." Ziegler said the Titans came out defensively in the first half and opened up the game after the break.
"These guys (the Blaze) run the ball so much, so possessions were hard to come by and everyone we did get, it was important to get points on the board," he said. "We came out in the second half and moved the ball effectively and got guys in the end zone, and that was it."
In an interview last week, Head Coach Doug Madoski said the battle for field position would be the key to victory and his words proved prophetic after a 47 yard field goal by Juan Bongarra put the team on the board first and the Titans never looked back.
The Blaze depended on their ground game, but it was not enough, gaining only 86 yards against a solid wall Titan defense that held the Blaze scoreless in three quarters of play. Ziegler said his is thrilled to win after losing in the championship game last season with a different team.
"You always have confidence coming in to the game, but this was a rag-tag team to start with and we had to piece it together. We had to come together with our core guys from last season and a few key additions," he said. "As we got closer and closer to playoffs, we felt like we had a (real) chance."
League Commissioner Adam Richman awarded the CFL Copper Bowl VI Trophy to Titans team owner Jim Shipp and head coach Dough Madoski, commenting that "the performance of the Titans this evening was a total team effort, and the league is proud to send them into the state championship game on May 10 against the Chandler Cowboys of the AzFL." This game will be played at Moon Valley High School, kick off 7:00 p.m.
For more information about the next game check out the website at Copperfootball.com
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| Titans QB Tommy Ziegler shakes off a tackle on his way to a touchdown pass. |
 Prince Edmonds carries the ball down field on the way to a touch down. |
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| The Titan Defense smothered the Blaze running game, a critical component to the eventual victory. |
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| Cocked and locked, Titans QB Tommy Ziegler sets his sights on his receiver downfield. |
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| As the game clock winds down, Titan Manny Ruvalcaba gives his teammates the 'thumbs-up'. |
