Since Lorain restarted its football program in 2021, one of its biggest obstacles has been overcoming adversity.
On a controversial play that forced a turnover-on-down on Elyria’s 5-yard line in an Aug. 25, rivalry showdown, the Pioneers went 95 yards in two plays to score and led, 6-0, in the first quarter.
In the face of adversity, the Titans overcame it and continued to push, went on a 21-point fourth quarter run and won, 31-12.
Lorain vs. Elyria football: Late fourth-quarter push sends Titans over Pioneers
"This was tremendous growth. In years past, we would have shut down, but we made the plays. Our motto was to put it on film (for colleges), ..." Lorain Coach Damion Creel said. "This is what we are trying to create here. We were blessed enough to make those plays that we needed to make, but it was based on our preparation this week and what we have done in the summer time."
Lorain trailed, 6-3, at halftime. No heads were down in the locker room. Together, the Titans let the play on the field do the talking.
"We went in the locker room (at halftime) and we said that we have to turn this up and we have to do all that stuff and get ready," said Creel. "We came back ready to play. There was no crumbling (under the pressure). We wanted to let our shoulder pads hit for us. Now, we made everybody right and we came out with the results (we wanted)."
Lorain took a 10-6 lead in the third quarter from a run by running back John Salaman. He credited the team's unity to overcome the adversity and finished the game.
"We just stuck together," Salaman said. "We never let our head down. We stayed together and played confident throughout the whole game. We talked to each other throughout the whole game and made sure that (we were together). Our defense made a stop and our offense had to turn it up."
Lorain had the Elyria game circled on its calendar after the Pioneers shut out the Titans for the past two seasons. The win over Elyria was a moment that the Lorain community embraced and brought joy to the team.
"When I got hired (at Lorain), I told everybody that we were going to change this community and I meant that," Creel said. "We are going to change that the perception of this community and that (high school) over there. That's what I've been called to do. We are going to do it through the game of football, the greatest game on Earth."
Salaman rushed for 181 yards. Elyria stacked the box to try and make running the ball harder, but quarterback Chase Davis made plays off the play action to keep the defense honest.
Lorain stuck to its identity, which is to run the football. When Elyria players suffered cramps in the second half, Lorain's running game kept chugging along and eventually broke loose on a couple of carries.
Ocir Kimble was featured in the backfield several times in the fourth quarter, as Salaman took direct snaps. Assistant Coach Mike Franklin has this package put into the playbook, which allowed Kimble to break free for a touchdown and extend the Titans' lead.
"Ocir Kimble is a shining star on the rise," Creel said. "Coach Franklin was the old Sandusky coach. That was his idea to put (Salaman and Franklin) back there. We did it this week, so people can't key in on John. If you key in on John, Ocir is going to bust (through) and that's what happened."
Lorain isn't done throwing in different package, as Creel admitted that the team continues to adapt.
"We're going to continue to evolve, continue to get better and add things in to what we are doing to make us successful," Creel said.
Lorain reached the 2-0 milestone for the first time since 2011. On Sept. 1, the Titans travel to play Sandusky (0-2), who recently lost to Fremont Ross, 21-15.
If Lorain can pull out a win, that would be the first 3-0 start in Titans' history. The team has an increased sense of confidence after the Elyria win and want to keep the momentum going.
