RHS TITANS – TUPELO TOURNAMENT

RHS TITANS - TUPELO TOURNAMENT

0-0-1

The RHS Titans traveled to Tupelo to participate in the Tupelo High School Tournament where they would face such foes as Pontotoc, Horn Lake, and Tupelo. Their first opponent would be Pontotoc Friday night and the Titans started off strong against the Warriors. The first half would be all Titans. Mark Varnado opened the scoring for the Titans on a cross by Christian Eslava. Mark would add a second goal on a PK as he was fouled in the box by a Warrior. Steven Smith scored the third goal on a crossing shot from the right side. The score would remain 3-0 at halftime, but the Titans were dealt a blow when their goalkeeper, Robert Jackson, was sent to the hospital after a kick to the head. Tate Ratcliff filled in for Robert during the second half and the Titans were not able to get their offense cranked up again. They held the Warriors to one goal and came up with the victory 3-1.
 

1-0-1

Saturday morning the Titans would face the Horn Lake Eagles. The Eagle's defense played the offsides trap for most of the game and the Titan's offense found themselves caught offsides on the attack. The Eagle's were not able to penetrate the outstanding defense of the Titans and had only a few shots on goal. The Titans were able to adjust during the second half of the game and Steven Smith and Christian Eslava each scored to give the Titans the 2-0 victory.

2-0-1

The final game of the tournament would find the Titans facing the number five team in the Clarion Ledger preseason poll, the Tupelo Golden Waves, and once again the Titans proved they can play with the best. The Titans first goal came on a corner kick by Tre' Taliaferro and they never looked back. The second goal of the first half came on a shot by Steven Smith that was redirected into the goal by Taliaferro. Christian Eslava would add the third goal, and the Titans went into the half with the 3-0 lead. Taliaferro would get the first hat trick of the season when he scored in the second half as he redirected a shot by Michael Brann that deflected off the goal post. The Titan defense would not concede a goal to the Golden Wave and the Titans downed number five, 4-0.

3-0-1

The Titan defense, led by seniors Tate Ratcliff, Eugene Gasab and Robert Jackson allowed only one goal during the tournament with their outstanding play and teamwork. The outside anchors of the defense are Caylon McCullogh and Konrad Heinzelmann. With their continued challenges and heads up playing, future opponents are going to have a difficult time getting past the Titan defensive wall. The midfield worked hard during the tournament to continue to set up scoring opportunities for the Titans. This year's Titan force is able to call upon several players to fill these midfield positions and even with substitutions, the Titans do not miss a beat. During the tournament, the midfield was led by Michael Brann, Mark Varnado, Christian Eslava as well as Harrison Wilkes, Reese Barden, Martin Cobb, Marvin Carrillo, Tucker Italiano, Cristoff Mueller, and Ethan Callahan. Deonte Buckner and Wayne Gaseb found some time at forward and added to the Titan's attack along with forwards Tre' Taliaferro and Steven Smith.