WEST MIFFLIN, Pa. — The West Mifflin Titans (1-0) used a second-half comeback to down the Elizabeth Forward Warriors (0-1) by the score of 17-16 in the opening week of action across the WPIAL. This was a rematch of the drama-infested Class-3A quarterfinals matchup from a season ago when the Warriors walked out on top of that game and advanced to the semifinals. The Titans got their revenge to kick off the 2024 season.
After both teams lost a handful of impact starters to graduation, each side returned a few stars to lead their respective teams in 2024.
For the Warriors, lineman Christopher Climes, a Buffalo recruit, anchors both the offensive and defensive lines. The Titans returned phenom running back Armand Hill who burst onto the scene as a freshman in 2023. The Titans also have an anchor on their defensive line in Akron recruit Jaiden Brown-Demery.
Each team opened the game with a three-and-out before the Titans drove down the field before cashing in on a chip-shot field goal. The Warriors immediately drove down the field to answer but missed a 42-yard field goal. The field goal attempt was started due to a 44-yard rush from Charlie Nigut. After the first quarter of play, the Titans led 3-0.
On the Warriors’ lone drive of the second quarter, they used 14 plays to drive 59 yards for the go-ahead touchdown. The score came on a 7-yard wildcat keeper by Nigut.
The Warriors drained most of the clock with their long scoring drive and it gave the Titans no time to answer before halftime.
The Titans forced a quick punt to start the third quarter but Rich Fix fumbled the punt, giving the Warriors the ball at the Titans’ 29-yard line. Just as it looked like the Warriors were going to build onto their lead, they held strong at their goal line and forced a fumble.
Two plays later, the Warriors’ defense made Titans’ quarterback Zahir Ismaeli fumble as he looked to escape multiple sack attempts. The Warriors used that turnover to have Luke Holdren kick a field goal that extended the lead to a full touchdown.
Just as it looked like the game was slipping away from the Titans, Fix redeemed himself and returned the kickoff to the Warriors side of the field which led to a game-tying 25-yard touchdown scramble by Ismaeli.
Then later in the fourth quarter, Israeli did it again as he broke free for a 64-yard rush that set up what appeared to be a go-ahead field goal. That was until a bad snap ruined the field goal attempt for the Titans.
The Titans’ defense rallied and allowed their offense to get the ball back with just under two minutes left in the game. This led to a go-ahead 44-yard touchdown run by the sophomore Hill.
With under a minute left, the Warriors drove down the field to score as the game time expired in the fourth quarter. On the game-tying extra point attempt, a bad snap led to no kick attempt which resulted in the end of the game.
Next week, the Titans will travel to take on Avonworth while the Warriors will travel to take on non-conference foe Highlands.
