The last time Lorain started its season 2-0 was in 2011.
After over a decade of mixed bags in the first two weeks of the season, the Titans defeated rival Elyria, 31-12, on Aug. 25.
Lorain and Elyria engaged in a defensive slugfest that was filled with hard hits, physicality and sprinkled with the occasional big play on offense.
As the game matured, the battle on the gridiron became a battle of endurance and attrition. In the end, Lorain’s endurance rose to the occasion to score four unanswered touchdowns in the fourth quarter.
Elyria’s defense stacked the box on Lorain’s rushing attack, led by running back John Salaman. He scored two touchdowns, one of them was on a 25-yard touchdown to put the Titans up, 24-6, in the fourth quarter.
Ocir Kimble made plays for Lorain when it counted on both sides of the football. He intercepted a pass and scored a touchdown on offense.
Lorain defensive lineman Camryn Sledge put the final nail in the coffin to strip-sack Elyria and return it to the end zone.
The Titans’ second drive was halted at the 5-yard line, by the Pioneers’ run defense on fourth down. By a close measurement from the chain gang, Elyria was awarded the turnover on downs.
Elyria turned the tables on the ensuing drive to go 95 yards in two plays. Quarterback Justin Godbolt connected with Xavier Church and to the end zone with B.J. Todd from 60 yards. The Pioneers missed the extra point.
Lorain struggled to move the ball, but a drive in the second quarter resulted in a 31-yard field goal from Reggie Johnson.
Even with the stacked box from Elyria, Salaman rushed for 125 yards in the first half.
Elyria shutout Lorain coach Damion Creel’s Titans in 2021 and 2022, the Titans made the third time the charm. They scored their first points with a 31-yard field goal from Reggie Johnson.
In 2011, Lorain went 5-5 (2-4 in Lake Erie League). This was before the 16-team playoff, in which the Titans did not qualify in an eight-team regional tournament.
Elyria dropped to 0-2, which is also a first since the Pioneers’ 0-10 season in 2018. Pioneers coach Brian Fox is still in search of his first win at the program, and they will have another shot at Akron East (2-0) on Sept. 1.
Lorain will look to keep the momentum rolling on Sept. 1, as it’ll travel to play Sandusky. The Blue Streaks defeated the Titans in Week 2 of the 2022 season, 40-13. A win over Sandusky would be the first 3-0 start in Titans’ brief history.
THE SCORE
Lorain 31, Elyria 12
