Triton Central seeking complete game performance on Homecoming against Beech Grove

Triton Central thrived in 2025 with a stellar defense and just enough offense to produce a double-digit win season for the third time in the last four seasons.

In 2026, a bevy of “correctable mistakes” have the Tigers 1-2 for the first time since 2015.

“We need to not play well at times. We need to play a complete game,” said first-year Triton Central head coach Tim Kegley.

Three weeks into the season, the Hoosier Legends Conference looks solid top to bottom. There will be no “bye” week the rest of the season. In other words, Triton Central has to get more consistent to find the success the program is used to producing.

The Tigers’ two losses are by a combined four points. The first came in overtime in the season opener. The second came Friday at Speedway when a failed two-point conversion following a late touchdown resulted in a 21-20 loss in the conference opener.

Triton Central even recovered the ensuing onside kick but the potential game-winning drive never materialized.

“Self-inflicted wounds and dropped passes,” said Kegley.

Landon Ball (photo) has proved to be a workhorse running back for the Tigers. The junior is averaging 4.7 yards per carry (310 yards).

The passing game has sputtered, though. Quarterback Matthew Wilkins’ completion percentage is just 39% -- lowest amongst the eight starting quarterbacks in the HLC.

“We are still a work in progress,” said Kegley. “We are still trying to figure out our personnel and what we really do well opposed to what we think we do well.”

Getting the ball into Henry Kemper’s hands has gone well. Against Speedway, the senior (photo) had four receptions for 125 yards and two touchdowns. He also had two interceptions on defense.

The goal is to kind of let him understand all the attention he attracts,” said Kegley of his team’s leading receiver (17 catches, 291 yards). “We can benefit from that, but that requires having other options.”

Triton Central hosts Beech Grove (3-0, 1-0 HLC) Friday at Mendenhall Field for Homecoming. The Tigers will play their third home game of the season in just four weeks. They will be on the road three of the following four weeks beginning Sept. 18 at Shelbyville.

Beech Grove prevailed last Friday over Shelbyville, 7-0, in a defensive battle. Quarterback Bishop Moore found Kordell Martin in the end zone midway through the third quarter for the game’s only score.

“The quarterback gets rid of the ball quick. He has skilled receivers to throw to and a consistent run game,” said Kegley. “That poses a lot of potential issues if we don’t execute our game plan. And their defense poses a lot of issues for us.”

That Beech Grove defense has produced back-to-back shutouts for the first time since early in the 2018 season.

Moore, a three-sport athlete at Beech Grove, announced his commitment Tuesday to play baseball at West Virginia in 2027.

The Hornets are one of three unbeaten teams in the HLC. Indian Creek and Speedway also are 3-0.

Greenwood, Monrovia and Triton Central are at the other end of the HLC standings at 1-2.

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