WRAL Sports Fan

WRALSportsFan

A season of firsts for the Raleigh Titans

By Jeff Gravley

Aug 8, 2008

Cars serve as lockers. Pick-up trucks haul in the football equipment and their practice field is off the path a bit in Wendell.

"Out in the middle of nowhere, " says Raleigh Titans head coach Jeff Nyce. "and that's fine with me because that means that other teams that want to scout me will never find us here."

These are the Raleigh Titans.  A group of 14-18 year olds looking for some football.

With an emphasis on each word, Coach Jeff Nyce explains. "We are a real high school football team.  We're just giving these kids an opportunity to play that would normally never have it."

The Titans roster of 24 players is comprised mostly of home schooled, high schoolers that travel as far as Goldsboro and Rocky Mount to practice.

"It's about 35 minutes from here," calculates Rocky Mount's Nathaniel Hartsell. "So it's a good little drive to get here but it's well worth it."

Three players attend public school. David Merle played football the last two years at Clayton High School. But his move from New Jersey three years ago used up one of his years of eligibility.

"I missed the cut off by 2 and a half weeks but this league gave me a chance to play football my senior year which I'm greatly appreciative," said Merle.

For some, like Wendell's David Allen, this is their first introduction to the sport of football.

"I played soccer for about five years but always wanted to play football but mom has said no."

She finally agreed to let David play and it helps when the coach is Jeff Nyce. He has earned their trust with a strong knowledge of the game. Nyce was the starting center at NC State in the early 80's.

He teaches with a balance of football and faith.

"Keep God first in your life, follow the straight and narrow, resist the temptations that are out there and be a role model for these young kids that are watching you," Nyce said.

The first year Titans will play an 11-game schedule in the Carolinas Independent Athletic Association.

Coach Jeff Nyce lists his goals. "I want to be able to know win or lose, whether we go undefeated or whether we lose every game, that if these kids walk out of here on the right path, I've done my job."

The Titans opening game is Saturday, August 23rd against Jacobs Well Academy. 

You can get more information on the Raleigh Titans from their web-site www.Raleightitansfootball.org