Ailing Tigers head to Speedway for Hoosier Legends Conference clash

Class 2A, No. 9 Triton Central is 4-0 for the first time since 2018 and the early leader atop the Hoosier Legends Conference standings. Injuries are mounting, though, for a team not blessed with great depth.

“We knew our first and third games would be tough sledding — and it was,” said Triton Central head coach Tim Able, now 239-138 in 32 seasons as a head coach. “We played just well enough to beat Tri-West (17-14) and beat Batesville (11-10). And we left so many points on the field last week (in a 24-14 win over Monrovia).”

A struggling squad like winless Speedway is a perfect matchup this week for the Tigers, who will have four starters not in uniform at newly renovated Sparkplugs Field.

Speedway finished 4-6 last season after losing five of its final six. The program then lost its starting quarterback and running back to the transfer portal.

Quarterback Connor Moreland (108-for-220, 1,652 yards and 17 touchdowns in 2024) is leading 3-1 Franklin Central this season with 658 passing yards and 10 touchdowns.

Jazz Coleman transferred to Ben Davis and has a team-high 41 rushing attempts for 161 yards (second most for the 1-3 Giants).

The departures have left Speedway’s offense reeling, averaging just nine points per game even after scoring three touchdowns last week in a 63-21 loss to Tri-West.

“They’ve got good quickness on both sides of the ball,” said Able. “They do not have as much size as they have had in the past.”

Junior Logan Moore (29-for-58, 327 yards, one TD, five interceptions) and sophomore Blake Stewart (15-for-31, 97 yards) have split the duties at quarterback.

The Sparkplugs have just one running back with more than 70 yards rushing — senior Mamadou Diallo (53 carries, 215 yards, two TDs).

That does not bode well going against a Triton Central defense that gets stronger as the game gets longer. The Tigers are allowing 12.8 points per game against an early schedule that includes two state-ranked programs. Their opponents have scored just four second-half touchdowns.

At Speedway, linemen Seth Richardson (lower leg) and Kellan Dishman (shoulder) will be out. There is no definitive timetable for their return. With a non-conference game against Lebanon (3-1) on Sept. 26, there is no rush to get back to the field.

Senior Zeke Robertson suffered a broken hand in the win at Tri-West but could return for the Lebanon game but be limited offensively with a cast.

“We will error on the safe side with those boys coming back,” said Able.

Defensive lineman Tryden LaTulippe will miss Friday’s game at Speedway while serving the second of a two-game suspension.

Able expects to use more of a 3-man defensive front against the Sparkplugs because of depth issues. Senior Brayden Lathrop (photo), junior Dallas Clarke and sophomore Wyatt Viles will play on both sides of the ball. Senior Conner McClure will be in the defensive front rotation.

Without Richardson, a senior, and Dishman, a junior, Nolan Murray (photo) and Grant Kegley — both seniors — will man the right side of the offensive line next to Viles at center. Clarke is the left tackle and Lathrop is the left guard.

CLASS 2A, NO. 9 TRITON CENTRAL (4-0) AT SPEEDWAY (0-4)

SITE: Sparkplugs Field in Speedway.

GAME TIME: 7 p.m.

COACHES: Tim Able, 114-40 in 13^th year at Triton Central, 239-138 in 32^nd year overall; Shane Clampitt, 22-26 in fifth year at Speedway.

SAGARIN RATINGS: Triton Central, 69.72, 70^th overall, fifth in Class 2A; Speedway, 38.46, 242^nd overall, 50^th in Class 3A. Triton Central is a 34-point favorite.

LAST MEETING: Triton Central defeated Speedway, 37-6, on Oct. 18, 2024.

AROUND THE HLC: Danville (2-2) at Class 3A, No. 10 Tri-West (3-1); Class 3A, No. 12 Indian Creek (4-0) at Class 2A, No. 3 Lapel (4-0); and Monrovia (1-3) at Beech Grove (3-1).

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