When many parents consider their children’s high school years, sports often are a major factor. Jonathan Nyce is a homeschool student.

When planning his high school years, his parents did not want to send him to public school just to play football. Also, most private schools in the Cary/Raleigh area do not have a football team.

At 6-ft, 5-in, 265 pounds at age 16, Jonathan was built for the game and had the passion to boot. His parents knew that football would be an important part of his high school life.

Though he had played eight-man football for years, now at 17, it was time to get serious.

Well, that left open the possibility that Jonathan was not alone in his desire to play football on a full contact 11-man team. There had to be other athletes that wanted to play football and still attend their private school or remain in homeschool.

In 2008 the Nyces took the leadership role in launching the Raleigh Titans football team.

The Titans teamed up with the Carolinas Christian Athletic Association, a non-profit organization in Charlotte, and the Carolina P.R.I.D.E.

The Titans joined the Carolinas Independent Athletic Association conference where in only their first year, came in third overall. Also, one of their players, Marquell Harring, was offered a scholarship to attend Averett University in Virginia. He will join the Cougar football team in the fall of 2009.

Jeff Nyce is the head coach of the Titans and is well qualified for the task. He played Center at N.C. State University from ’79 through ’83 with an ACC Champion-ship to his credit. He also spent time in the NFL with the Chargers and the Redskins before a knee injury ended his career. Coach Nyce teaches his players what he has learned under some of the best coaches in high school, college, and the NFL.

The Titans are also a Christian organization and have a devotional after each practice to steer these young athletes in the right direction; away from peer pressure.

You can get more information about the Titans by visiting www.raleightitansfootball.org.

The Titans serve all counties in the Piedmont area of North Carolina.