After some bumpy weeks to start the season Blessed Trinity has rebounded nicely, winning three straight games and reclaiming a spot in the top 10 of the GACA coaches’ poll.

Coming off their bye last Friday, head coach Tim McFarlin said his team was playing their best football of the season and remained optimistic about the Titans’ playoff and region championship goals.

“I feel good about where we are now, not because of the record, but because I can feel the team getting better every week,” said McFarlin, now in his second year as head coach. “That’s what you want to do as a football team and I felt like we played our most complete game of the season against Woodward Academy.”

Blessed Trinity (4-1 overall, 1-0 in 6AAA play) beat a powerful Woodward Academy team 21-14 two weeks ago — bumping the Wolverines out of the state’s top 10 and sliding the Titans into it. The win followed victories over Hart County (24-10) and White County (21-19) the previous two weeks.

McFarlin said early success has been led by a stout defensive unit that has played well since week one — allowing just 17.2 points per game.

“That entire unit has been great especially at stopping the run. For the most part we have made some good teams throw on us and we have pretty good defensive backs so we like our chances when that happens,” he said.

“Offensively it has taken more time as we’ve worked through some things, but we’re getting better each week.”

Among the obstacles to overcome was the preseason loss of Jordan Denson, the Titans’ 1,000 yard back from a year ago.

Without Denson, freshman Milton Shelton stepped to the forefront as the workhorse back in McFarlin’s run-heavy scheme and wide receiver Sam Roberts has emerged as a big play threat.

“Sam does a great job of making plays after he catches the ball,” said McFarlin of Roberts, who has 309 total yards and three touchdowns during BT’s current win streak. “Our whole receiver corps has been good really, including some great play from our tight ends Robbie Voll and Nathan Maggio.”

The second half of BT’s season will start on Friday with a home date against Decatur. Games with Towers and McNair will follow before playing St. Pius X and Cedar Grove in two games that could decide the region championship to end the season.

“We’re playing well but the most important thing now is to not get complacent or start looking ahead. We have to keep getting better, keep growing as a team and improve in all phases of the game,” said McFarlin.