Syracuse football players such as T.J. Blickfeldt and Kalon Evans had to take their lumps while facing older, stronger and more mature players during the Titans' inaugural season in 2007.

They may have finished 0-10 on a team that didn't have any seniors, but the players also learned valuable lessons, such as how to finish games, and how it takes a year-round commitment to build a successful football program.

Now, in just their second season, the Titans have a region championship within reach.

Syracuse, 3-1 in league play, travels to face first-place Layton (4-0) in a game that could determine the Region 1 champion tonight. Both teams are 6-1 overall.

"We knew we had to come back from last year and show everybody that we can perform, and we're not a throw-around team," Evans said. "So far, we've done what we need to do, but each week brings a new challenge."

The Titans proved they're legitimate league-title contenders by beating Northridge in overtime last week. But challenges don't get any bigger in Region 1 than the defending league champion Lancers. Layton, despite being without star running back LaVaughn Jackson for almost the entire season, has found ways to win games and remains the team to beat up north.

Layton coach Jim Batchelor, whose daughter Reilee is a senior at Syracuse, said Jackson is "iffy" to play tonight. But the good news for the Lancers is that running back Karl "The Truth" Williams is back to 100 percent and ready to be a force again on offense.

The Lancers need a big game from Williams tonight because the Titans' defense is among the best in the state.

Syracuse has pitched two shutouts this season and is currently tied with Davis for allowing the fewest points per game in 5A. The Titans give up just 7.14 points per game, and the 16 points Northridge scored on them last week was the first time a team hit double digits against them this season.

"They're pretty good," Batchelor said. "They're playing with a lot of confidence. I say it every week: You have to consider everybody you play the biggest game of the year because if you're not ready to play in our league, you'll get beat."

Syracuse's game against Layton in 2007 was a good example of how the team's entire season went. The Titans hung with the Lancers in the first half and trailed by just four points at halftime. Layton, however, pulled away in the second half and won, 27-3.

The Titans, who played evenly with most of their opponents in the first half of games last season, worked hard in the offseason to reverse that trend. They knew they had to get stronger and in better shape to finish games. They did that and gained confidence in various tournaments and camps during the summer.