Though the Titans offense coughed, sputtered and finally flamed out, the Robinson Secondary School Rams had no trouble finding their way into the end zone Thursday night.
    
Fumbles, sacks, penalties there were few bright spots in the Titans 35-2 season opening loss against the perennial powerhouse Rams ranked No. 7 in the region by the Washington Post for T.C. Williams head coach Dennis Randolph.
    
We didnt play well, Randolph said following his team into the locker room Thursday night. We didnt do well today. We missed some key plays. It just snowballs. It boils down to our offense.
At least there werent any serious injuries, he said.
    
Senior quarterback Doug Murphy didnt have too many chances to pick at Robinsons defense and when the Titans offense did take to the field, it was never for long. 
    
Robinson junior running back Kambulu Musokotwane waltzed into the end zone on the Rams second drive of the first quarter. Rams senior running back Jared Velasquez followed suit on T.C.’s next drive after a fumble in their own territory.
    
The Titans never recovered. 
    
Musokotwane finished the night with two touchdowns and 42 yards on 13 carries. Valesquez made two trips to the end zone himself, rushing 87 yards in 18 carries and completing a 26-yard reception. 
    
A blocked field goal attempt late in the second quarter garnered sophomore defensive back Ethan Steen his first special teams touchdown of the season.     
    
The Titans narrowly avoided a blowout after a bad snap resulted in a safety late in the fourth quarter, but T.C. had little else to celebrate as the sun dropped over Parker-Gray Memorial Stadium.
    
Murphy threw for 87 yards with six completions in 16 attempts. Sophomore running back Dealo Roberson rushed for 30 yards in four carries. Fellow running back Jalani Winbush, a junior, went 15 yards in four carries and another 24 yards on three receptions.
    
The Titans might have been without five of their starters including senior linebacker Deontre Sanders and star senior lineman Jay Whitmire but thats no excuse for the teams performance, Randolph said. 
    
I dont know if it would have made a difference, he said.
    
All are expected to return within two or three weeks. Whitmire, recovering from a sprained foot, should be back for the matchup against Mount Vernon High School September 11.
    
For a coach looking to usher in T.C. Williams return to the playoffs this fall after a 19-year drought, its a disappointing start. But its not the end of the world, Randolph said.
    
Its a long season, he said. Youd like to win this game, but were not going to throw in the towel. Hopefully we see them in week 12 or 13.