New conference, tougher schedule on tap for Triton Central football

FAIRLAND – One of Tim Able’s most athletic Triton Central football teams will attempt to navigate a new look regular-season schedule that the Hall of Fame coach believes will better prepare the Tigers for a deep postseason run.

Triton Central had captured five straight sectional championships before that streak ended in 2024 with a loss to Lapel. While the sectional field did not change, there are three new teams on the regular-season schedule as the program shifts from the Indiana Crossroads Conference to the Hoosier Legends Conference (HLC).

“It’s an interesting transition with two teams not yet going to be in (the HLC)," said Abel, now in his 13^th season in Fairland. Shelbyville and Greenwood will join the new conference in 2026. “We have a really heavy schedule this year with some really talented teams early. There is a lot of tough competition in there, but I am looking forward to it. It’s a big challenge for us, definitely going to be ready for tournament times because our competition is good each week.”

New to the Tigers’ schedule this season are Tri-West (Sept. 5), Lebanon (Sept. 26) and Indian Creek (Oct. 3).

Triton Central kicks off the 2025 season Friday at Batesville – a program that finished 9-4 last season and won its first regional title since 1986. Head coach Chris Ulery begins his 10^th season as head coach of the Bulldogs with 61 career wins.

Batesville graduated 15 starters from that 2024 squad including quarterback Will Jaisle (1,960 passing yards, 19 touchdowns), running back Gage Pohlman (1,306 rushing yards, 11 TDs) and receiver Damien Dance (64, receptions, 953 yards, 12 TDs).

“When you have success it’s easier to keep things going,” said Able of the Batesville program after Friday’s preseason scrimmage against Milan. “We know we have a lot of work to do between now and then. We have to heal up from this (scrimmage) and have a great week of practice.”

Triton Central’s offense returns All-State running back Braden Brown (photo) and All-State wide receiver Zeke Robertson but will operate with its third quarterback in as many seasons and a new-look offensive line.

“The offensive line is very athletic. We probably average about 245 (pounds) and have good strength,” said Able. “Our speed will be huge. The big thing is we have to keep developing defensive linemen so they (the offensive linemen) don’t have to play defensive line too. We have some young kids that are quite spry and quite quick. They just have to grow up and become someone that can play on the defensive line so those guys gets some breaks.”

Senior Seth Richardson (photo) moves from center to right tackle this season with sophomore Wyatt Vines taking over the center position. Juniors Dallas Clarke and Kellan Dishman will anchor the left side of the line with seniors Brayden Lathrop, Nolan Murray and Grant Kegley rotating through the guard positions.

Their goal is to control the line of scrimmage and create running lanes for Brown, a senior, and senior Bo West.

“I am really proud to be blocking for those guys,” said Richardson. “I like that we are not one dimensional in the backfield this year. In the past, we’ve only had one main back that we would have to give 35 carries to in a game. I like that we are able to disperse the load and keep them churning. As long as they are running, we will keep on running right in front of them. I am glad to have multiple guys back there I can trust.”

That same line also has to protect junior quarterback Matthew Wilkins (photo), who will make his first varsity start at Batesville.

“We are replacing Sam Collier with Matthew, and I don’t think we will miss a thing,” said Able. “Just like Sam, Matthew played two years of (junior varsity) and pretty much dominated. Sam did the same thing for three years waiting behind Jace (Stuckey).

“He knows our system and has gotten nothing but better each week. He is learning to study the game more, making good reads and good decisions. I have been quite impressed, but obviously Friday nights are different. Even summertime is not like game competition.”

Wilkins has not only spent the last two seasons studying how Stuckey, now playing at Eastern Michigan, and Collier, playing at Hanover College, have performed on Friday nights, he has trained with them throughout the offseason.

“Over the offseason, Sam and Jace were coming to the field and working with me, preparing me,” said Wilkins. “Zeke and a lot of our wide receivers were coming out getting reps, getting ready for the season and seeing what I can do.”

Robertson (photo) was a big proponent of Collier becoming the quarterback in 2024. It paid off in an All-State season at receiver. He expects similar success with Wilkins.

“I am very comfortable (with Matthew). He is ready,” said Robertson. “I am not worried at all. He had great mentors in Jace and Sammy. He had great people to follow. He is going to make stuff happen on the field.”

Senior Brayden Whitlow returns at wide receiver and will be joined in the offensive sets by fellow senior Devon Gurganus and junior Henry Kemper, who missed the 2024 season with an injury.

The names are similar on defense and that is where Able hopes to develop depth this season.

Against Milan, the three-man defensive front featured Clarke, Richardson and junior Tryden LaTullippe.

Both inside linebackers graduated which moves 2024 outside linebackers Ty Bergman (photo), a junior, and Brown to the middle with seniors Conner McClure and Traiven Dunbar playing outside linebacker.

“Ty Bergman played outside (linebacker) most of last year. He has done a good job stepping in there at inside linebacker,” said Able. “Brown is going to have to play there too. He is a playmaker. We might limit his (offensive) carries because of that. He will be a threat as a receiver too. He is a special talent that is really working hard to make himself better. I am excited about his upside.”

Senior Nicholas Tormoehlen (photo) will handle both the kicking and punting duties this season. In the scrimmage against Milan, he converted field goal attempts of 37 and 42 yards.

Junior Kail Slaughter is the long snapper for the special teams unit.

Triton Central’s non-conference games this season are at Batesville Friday, home against Hamilton Heights (Aug. 29), home against Lebanon (Sept. 26) and at Indianapolis Scecina (Oct. 17).

Hamilton Heights and Lebanon will drop off the Tigers’ 2026 schedule to make room for Shelbyville and Greenwood.

Triton Central’s 2025 Schedule

Aug. 22   at Batesville                          

Aug. 29   HAMILTON HEIGHTS       

Sept. 5     at Tri-West*                          

Sept. 12   MONROVIA*                      

Sept. 19   at Speedway*                        

Sept. 26   LEBANON                           

Oct. 3      INDIAN CREEK*                

Oct. 10    at Beech Grove*                    

Oct. 17    at Indianapolis Scecina          

Oct. 24    Sectional (TBD)

All games start at 7 p.m.                     

*denotes Hoosier Legends Conference game

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