First-year Titans looking pretty green

SYRACUSE — In their program's first season, wins, points and glossy offensive stats might be hard to come by for the Syracuse Titans.

And finding enough players to fit into the fresh uniforms the team will sport?

That hasn't been a problem for the new kids on the Region 1 block. Russ Jones, who'll go down in the school's annals as its first head football coach, was pleasantly surprised when about 110 guys showed up wanting to play some pigskin. The community on the western side of Davis County, it seems, has been longing for a team of its own.

"That's really remarkable," Jones said of the number of players. "It says a lot about these kids in the area."

The most remarkable part: The Titans don't even have a senior on the squad.

That, however, is also the toughest part. Jones' squad is extremely inexperienced. To wit, only one player (lineman Jake Anderson) has any starting experience, and just two others (running backs Lawrence Aaron and T.J. Blickfeldt) have logged varsity minutes while playing previously for Clearfield. Despite that greenness, they've been selected as team captains, along with fellow juniors Braden Hamblin (quarterback) and K.J. Medina (linebacker/fullback).

Not having a senior class is one reason most people outside of Syracuse would be surprised if the Titans even managed to pick up a victory or two this season. Northridge, the last first-year team in the county, went 0-fer in its inaugural season 15 years ago. Syracuse supporters might be encouraged by the fact the Knights made the playoffs the next year.

"It's going to be hard and tough, but I think these kids are going to be up to the challenge," Jones said. "I hope people in the community will be patient with us."

And, he added, his young players are going to have to "grow up fast."

"The biggest difference is the seniors. That makes a huge difference in leadership and morale," Jones said. "Seniors have a sense of urgency, 'This is my last year. I've gotta make it count."'

Jones has been encouraged by the progress since he took over this past spring.

"They've come a long way," he said.

Jones is coming to Syracuse from Woods Cross. He picked up his top assistants from local schools. Dayne Faerber left the Davis program to join him as defensive coordinator, while Brandon Larson, previously with Viewmont, will handle the offensive coordinator duties.