Todd Beamer’s comeback ran out of gas Oct. 13 against Auburn Mountainview on the gridiron at Auburn Memorial Stadium.

With a final score of 19-12, the Titans had a chance to take the lead, but came up shy on their final drive. To even have a chance in this ballgame was impressive. Todd Beamer only suited 24 players in an all-important league game.

“I’m just proud of our team for fighting through adversity. We suited up 24 guys today. Lot of injury, guys trickling off, it was the next man up mentality,” said Head Coach Rodney McCurry

On their first possession, the Titans got all the way to the red zone, but came up just short.

The highlight of the first quarter was junior Matthew Chepurchenko intercepting a pass from Auburn Mountainview.

With their opening drive of the second quarter, quarterback Dominic Simpson led the Titans down the field. He lofted a pass up to Niko Shreffler, who darted into the end zone from 39 yards out for the lead.

Ben Ray / The Mirror Dominic Simpson looks for a some blocks against the Lions on the road.

The Lions would return an interception to their own end zone late in the first half to go into halftime up 13-6.

Simpson played every down on offense and defense for his side in the loss, and that effort didn’t go unnoticed.

“He played his butt off on both sides of the ball, didn’t leave the field. He’s a go-getter,” McCurry said of his QB.

The next Titan score wouldn’t come until the 6:00 mark in the fourth quarter. Simpson once again found a receiver for the score — this time it was Abdala Shaban from 15 yards away. The Titans missed the extra points after and trailed 13-12.

“If somebody (college) doesn’t come get this kid, it’s a problem. He does everything right. He’s battled a lot of adversity in his life at home. He’s putting it all on the field his senior year,” McCurry said on Shaban.

Todd Beamer’s defense has been a highlight for this team so far this year. In four of the Titans’ seven games, they have held teams to under 20 points. The defense made a stand, stopping the Lions on four downs, getting their team the ball back.

Unfortunately, the Titans turned the ball over and Auburn Mountainview’s first play went 73 yards for a score. On the ensuing Todd Beamer drive, the Titans fumbled on their first play from scrimmage.

“We haven’t been in a dog fight like this all season,” said Coach McCurry.

Ben Ray / The Mirror Avion McLemore slips on the wet turf against Auburn Mountainview.

Inside the final five minutes was where this game was won and lost, like many games before it.

“We shot ourselves in the foot too many times in the second half. We just haven’t been in these types of situations. For us it’s either you get your butt kicked or you’re winning the game… This one’s stung enough to where we could respond,” McCurry said.

After a defeat like this, outside of some adjustments coaching-wise, on another level there are things to be proud of.

“What we can learn from it (the game) is we got a little heart. They can respond after getting punched in the mouth,” McCurry said.

With just two games to go, the Titans need a little help to make the postseason. But this loss against the Lions could serve as motivation for the rest of this season and even into next season.

“We’re gonna take it and move into these last couple games, see where the chips fall. If they don’t fall our way, we’re going to take it into our offseason and hang our hats on this game,” McCurry said. “This one stung, we wanted this one.”