Helena, MT- Typically, when a football game’s score sounds more like a baseball or hockey score, the likely outcome would be a boring, defensive battle that drug on for hours. Not so according to Helena General Manager and kicker, Andrew Petroski, who said, “Both teams were one play from breaking this game wide open. The entire stadium was holding their collective breath in anticipation of the big play that would decide the game.”

That play never really came, and the Helena Titans (1-0) were able to squeak out of the game the victors. “This was a game of missed opportunities; it’s as simple as that,” continues Petroski. “Both teams had plenty of opportunities to make plays, and for the most part, neither of us could pull it together.” Petrowski is right; both teams had opportunities to score in excess of 20 points at different points in the game, but shaking the rust in the first real test of 2009 proved difficult for both teams and even more so for the Bulldawgs.

“Offensively, we didn’t do much,” said Petroski. “When we clicked, we really clicked, but when we weren’t, things got bad fast.” One of those things that got bad fast was a punt snap gone rogue, over the punter’s head and through the end zone, giving Magic Valley two of their five points, while the other three points came from a Fernando Topete field goal.

Defensively for the Titans, it was a performance that made the Helena management proud. “Our front 7 played exceptionally well against a very good offense,” Petroski explained. “We told our guys to do their jobs and do their best and things will go our way.” He was however, very complimentary to specific Magic Valley players. “[Magic Valley’s] quarterback (Greg Gandolfo) is top notch, their receivers are some of the best, and they have a very solid line. If we could just contain the big plays, we knew we had a chance.”

Statistically, the Bulldawgs were, as stated earlier, “one play away from breaking it open”. Three receivers ended the game with three or more receptions. Dan Clements and Lonnie Edwards both had four and Gary Jones had three, for a combined 141 yards. Gandolfo completed four other passes on 36 attempts for a total of 183 yards on the day.

Compare that to the Titans Mike Tranmer’s 5-16 day with an interception and a touchdown, and one would think that the game was lopsided, however it was Tranmer’s one touchdown pass to Sean Haderlie that would be the final kiss of death for the visiting Bulldawgs.

Defensively, the Bulldawgs were led by Norm Robinson and middle linebacker Jason Blair who each tallied six tackles. Calvin Armstead also was a difficulty for the Helena front to contain as he recorded three sacks on the day.

For the Titans stellar defensive effort, Tiff Meyers led the team with 7 tackles and had three players, Chris Fox, Larry Warner, and Tarry Anderson all recording five a piece.

“I think our defensive performance speaks for itself,” Petroski concludes. “Granted, it was the first game of the season, but to keep an offense like the Bulldawgs’ out of the end zone has to say something for the effort.”

The Titans (1-0) now take to the road to play the Great Falls Gladiators (1-0) in a divisional rival game that guarantees to be a battle. The game is to be the first of the 2009 Friday Night Lights series which will be broadcast via the World Wide Web on eisnlive.com. Meanwhile, the Bulldawgs (0-1) will play host to division foe Treasure Valley Spartans (0-1) for early season seeding within the Intermountain Division.