TBT

By Keith Niebuhr
Published August 31, 2007

Multiple Choice

The Titans will end their 21-game losing streak:

A) By Week 3

B) On Oct. 5 against Armwood

C) In the second half of the season

D) In 2008

Answer: A. TBT has the players - and the schedule - to halt its dubious streak. With 13 returning starters, including more than a few with legitimate Division I-A talent, the Titans should be much improved. That they open with Bloomingdale, Leto and Sickles, who went a combined 3-27 last season, doesn't hurt. In fact, it wouldn't be a shock if TBT opens 3-0.

True-False

First-year coach Corries "C.C." Culpepper has injected life into the program.

Answer: True. In recent years, no county school has had more good players leave for other programs. That changed this offseason. Three players transferred out; 14 players transferred in. The Titans have 88 players on the roster. Of those, Culpepper says at least 80 showed up each day for offseason workouts.

Yes or No

Will TBT have a formidable defense?

Answer: Yes. The Titans plan to ride their defense this fall and it looks as if they have the skill to do so. TBT returns seven defensive starters, two of whom (linebacker Delon Thomas, safety Jermaine Williams) have all-county potential. Another starter, junior cornerback Antonio Wallace, has interest from national power Ohio State.

Essay

King coach Earl Garcia III on TBT:

"They've got a lot of athletes and a whole bunch of speed. That's a fact. I like their defense. I thought our defense was fast, but they were really fast."

Culpepper on TBT:

"Our players want to win bad. And they're willing to do anything and everything it takes."

Extra Credit

Culpepper says bruising back Maurice Hagens reminds him of former Armwood all-state fullback Kalvin Bailey. ... Mario Tucker, who played running back last fall, will start at quarterback. That's where he was in his freshman and sophomore seasons. ... Wallace returned five kicks (kickoffs and punts) for touchdowns in 2006. ... Before becoming a coach, Culpepper was a firefighter in St. Petersburg. ... TBT will run a wing-T offense and a 4-4 defense.

Keith Niebuhr, Times staff writer

[Last modified August 29, 2007, 15:38:26]