Titans’ Neubert happy to be able to celebrate
AMBOY — Shayne Neubert was celebrating another Annawan/Wethersfield victory with his teammates and Titans followers on the middle of the football field at Amboy Saturday. He was just happy to know what was going on.
The Titans’ senior fullback/linebacker suffered a concussion Friday on what coach Brandon Johnson called a freak play in practice.
“I really don’t remembered what happened,” Neubert said. “I lowered my head and next thing I know, I don’t remember anything. I woke up this morning and everything came back. I’m so excited the guys won.”
When asked how hard it was to be on the sidelines Saturday, he said, “You have no idea. I feel bad for all the coaches. They talk about how bad they wish they could be out there.”
Neubert will be checked out by doctors Tuesday, but says he’s pretty sure he’s going to be able to play. Even though he said he knew names of teammates, but couldn’t match up faces, “One thing I sure remember is football.”
• Shields up: Amboy junior C.J. Shields made a key interception in the end zone to snuff out a Titans scoring drive with 6:57 left in the second quarter. The Clippers couldn’t capitalize and the Titans soon got their touchdown on a keeper by Walker with 1:44 left in the half.
Shields was playing despite having a hairline fracture in his right wrist. He leads the Clippers in receptions, yards and touchdown catches and the Clippers’ secondary with 41 tackles.
He played most of the season with a brace on and a lot of tape, but went without the brace Saturday.
He said the wrists feels “a lot better when we win.”
• Down, not out: AW coach Brandon Johnston walked over the bench to check on Sean Walker as the Titans star quarterback was getting his left arm taped up after taking a helmet to his elbow.
Johnson told Walker, “That’s why God gave you two of them (elbows).”
Walker responded, “I thought I had three of them.”
Johnston knew Walker wasn’t going to stay out of the game long, returning just in time to make a pivotal interception at the goal line.
“He’s a tremendous athlete and definitely a competitor. You’d have to drag him off the field,” he said.
• Titan wildcat: Back-up quarter Jake DeJaegger completed all four passes he attempted for 119 yards Saturday, including a key 65-yard pass to Kyle Bumphrey to set up a 5-yard touchdown by Sean Walker to give the Titans a 26-14 lead early in the fourth quarter.
The fact he was behind center was nothing too overwhelming for the Titans, he said, because they do it all the time in practice.
“Sean’s a little quicker than me ... two different styles,” said DeJaeagger.
• That’s the spirit: The Titans’ bus route to Amboy was splattered with spirit signs and banners erected by a group of A-W parents Wednesday. Another group of parents were responsible for feeding the players last week.
• Star of the game: Sean Walker, A-W — had 84 rushing yards, 3 TDs, 65 passing yards, intercepted 2 passes
• Key performers: Steven Apple, Amboy, 172 passing yards, 3 TDs; Nathan Long, A-W, 139 yards rushing yards, 2 TDs; Cody Richardson, Amboy, 83 receiving yards, TD, 70 rushing yards.
