An explosive offense carried Tartan through its first three games. And through the first five minutes Friday against Hastings, it looked like that’s the way things would play out again.
A couple of big injuries later, and the Titans had to learn to gut out a win on the fly — which they did, holding on for a 24-17 victory over the visiting Raiders.
“I think our team toughness is high,” running back Tien Dang said. “This game, we played together as a family. That’s what drove us through the game.”
Tartan’s fast start on both sides of the ball paid off for the Titans on Friday as they defeated Hastings 24-17 at Tartan High School.
The Titans, ranked No. 7 in the Class 5A Associated Press statewide poll, went up 14-0 in the first quarter, then survived their two biggest offensive playmakers getting injured. The Titans (4-0, 2-0) led by 17 early in the third quarter, and withstood a late surge from the Raiders.
Down 10 points entering the second half, the Raiders (2-2, 2-0) got a 5-yard touchdown pass to Jackson Kirchoff in the fourth quarter, and a field goal from Christian Brenny to get Hastings within 24-17 with 6 minutes, 53 seconds to play. The Titans defense held on the rest of the way.
Tartan’s Dorian Singer made an early impact before departing with a leg injury. He recovered a fumble on the first play from scrimmage, and then scored a 16-yard touchdown the next snap. He added another 23-yard TD catch and a 50-yard catch before getting hurt on a collision early in the second quarter.
The Raiders scored on a 65-yard pass from Dylan Wagner to Joe Nauer to get within 14-7 in the second quarter. Garret Kierzek hit a 41-yard field goal to put Tartan up 17-7, a lead the Titans carried into halftime.
Tartan’s Tien Dang had an 80-yard touchdown run to open the second half and finished with 151 rushing yards.
Hastings quarterback Wagner went 14 of 22 for 147 yards and a touchdown. Devon McSorley had 14 carries for 87 yards and Jackson Kirchoff had eight catches for 52 yards and a touchdown.
MN Football Hub polls are for entertainment purposes only.