Sure, Memorial High School has only been in existence since the fall of 2002.

But for all of its tradition in sending players to Division I universities, some of whom have been picked up by NFL clubs, the Titans have never finished a regular season unbeaten or won a district championship outright.

That just makes making history much sweeter.

“Our kids understand the chance to have the first undefeated season and first outright district championship in school history,” said Kenny Harrison, Memorial’s coach since 2009. “But our focus is on one game at a time, and our kids do a tremendous job focusing on that. They understand this Vidor team is a solid football team, and we have to come out, execute and play hard for 48 straight minutes. If we do that, I like our chances in the end.”

Said senior receiver Adrian Williams: “As we go undefeated, we just want to continue everything that we’ve been doing. It feels very good.”

Tonight will mark the first-ever meeting between the Titans (8-0, 7-0 in 22-5A), 6A stalwarts before this season, and the Pirates (7-2, 6-1), which can actually win a share of the district if it pulls off a win at home. Vidor last won a district title in 1978.

To end that drought, 18th-year head coach Jeff Mathews says the Pirates will have to go through some fire. He didn’t exactly word it that way.

“Every Wednesday, we have what we call a ‘hell day,’” he said. “We always challenge the guys to a drill and we challenge them to see if they’re willing to get up from the tough drill and want to get back up and do it again. [Tonight] will be the biggest hell they’ve gone through. For us to win, we’re going to have to be able to do that.”

The way the district schedule fell, Memorial is following a similar pattern to Port Neches-Groves and Nederland in seeing the Slot-T offense two straight weeks, beginning with Baytown Lee. All three teams have dominated Lee handily, but the Titans will get their look at a Vidor offense that far and away leads the entire district in rushing yards with more than 426 yards per game.

“The quarterback does a tremendous job,” Harrison said of senior Maverick Quirante. “From my understanding, he’s a three-year or four-year starter. He makes the offense go, and he has some running backs who get the job done.”

They would be Haylon Leckelt, Kolby Humble and Hogan Stogner, respectively the fourth-, ninth- and 11th-leading rushers in 22-5A.

The good news for the Titans is their defense is far and away the best in the district. Their 165.1 yards per game allowed is almost 100 better than Nederland, and the Titans have given up less than half of that in the run this season.

Plus, Memorial has the district’s leading rusher, junior Elijah Hines (1,247 yards and 17 touchdowns). He rushed for three touchdowns on four carries a week ago.

Mathews will see the Titans in person for the second week in a row after scouting them during the buy week.

“Last Friday, I was hoping they wouldn’t look very good,” he said. “I haven’t slept very much.”

The Titans and Pirates have secured their playoff berths, with Central, Livingston and Nederland jousting for the fourth and final spot. But for Memorial, nothing will spell success better than an unbeaten record.

Senior receiver Rickey Thomas sees an extra benefit to history.

“Being able to go longer and getting the better chance to be looked at by college scouts,” he said. “Winning an outright district championship for the first time would be extra special to us.”

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I.C. Murrell: 721-2435. Twitter: @ICMurrellPANews

22-5A FOOTBALL

PA MEMORIAL (8-0) AT VIDOR (7-2)

• When: 7 tonight

• Where: Ivan Croak Field at Pirate Stadium, Vidor

• Radio: KOLE-AM 1340

• 22-5A records: Memorial 7-0, Vidor 6-1

• Series record: First meeting