Class 2A, No. 8 Tigers and Crusaders ready to renew gridiron rivalry

Triton Central and Indianapolis Scecina were consistent rivals in the Indiana Crossroads Conference. Friday’s new non-conference clash now serves as the final game of the regular season.

That’s doesn’t mean Tim Able will back off expectations for his Hoosier Legends Conference championship team chasing a fourth consecutive win over the Crusaders and third straight victory without its starting quarterback on the field.

“Scecina has always been our nemesis,” said Able. “Last year, we were pretty good and felt like we could put it on them and they hung around all night (in a 19-16 Triton Central win).

“We won’t underestimate them. We will treat it like the first game of the sectional, try to build some momentum with consistency and execution.”

Scecina is 6-2 in head coach Dan Harris’ second season and averaging 27.5 points per game but allowing nearly 37 ppg while surrendering at least 50 points in four games this season.

Junior quarterback Bryce McDonald has thrown for 1,515 yards and 18 touchdowns, but also 10 interceptions.

Gavin Connel and Eric Montgomery have combined to rush for 733 yards and six touchdowns. Bryce Mathis and Tristan Brown have totaled 80 receptions, 1,398 yards and 18 touchdowns.

With quarterback Matthew Wilkins (photo) still recovering from a shoulder injury, Braden Brown spent the second straight week taking most of the snaps. The All-State running back was dynamic in a 24-20 win at Beech Grove last Friday that clinched the inaugural HLC title. He completed 6-of-7 passes for 70 yards and a touchdown and rushed 31 times for 180 yards and two touchdowns.

For the season, Brown has run for 1,024 yards and 10 touchdowns.

Able would like to ensure his team’s most versatile player is near 100% when the Tigers travel to Centerville (6-2) for its sectional opener on Oct. 24.

“He’s settled in (at quarterback),” said Able of Brown. “Some things are not going correctly but when you are learning (a new position) in two weeks of practices and games, that’s a quick learn.”

Senior Conner McClure (photo), who started at quarterback two weeks ago against Indian Creek before Brown took over the signal calling duties, may get some reps against Scecina with the anticipation Wilkins will be ready to go at Centerville.

All-State receiver Zeke Robertson saw more offensive reps at Beech Grove which resulted in three rushes for seven yards and three receptions for 40 yards and a touchdown. The senior is still sporting a cast on a broken hand and has been limited to defensive reps only in recent weeks.

“That might have been Zeke’s best all-around game,” said Able. “He had (an interception), he made a lot of tackles and had some key tackles on special teams.”

Robertson (photo) was credited with a team-high eight tackles (7 solo) and produced one of three interceptions of Beech Grove quarterback Bishop Moore along with Luke Strong and Traiven Dunbar.

Able admitted he will try to limit players battling injuries Friday but there is still room for improvement with the sectional lurking.

“We have some players we will save in the game,” he said. “We’ve got kids dinged up we will keep out as emergency players. This helps us develop depth.”

Triton Central has been a tremendous fourth quarter team this season, typically relying on its defense and special teams units to win games — and a conference championship.

“I don’t remember a season where it goes down to the end of games so many times,” said Able, now in his 32nd year as head coach.

In eight games, Triton Central has allowed 10 second-half touchdowns and one field goal. Three of those touchdowns came in its only loss, 21-14 to Class 4A, No. 12 Lebanon. 

“It just means they dig in,” said Able of the team’s ability to execute late in a game. “We can’t keep depending on it because it’s not always going to happen. It’s already happened once.”

That is why Able wants Triton Central to finish the season on a winning note with consistent performances from the offense, defense and special teams

“We have to gain momentum going into the tournament,” said Able. “We want consistency. We need to get better every day."

CLASS 2A, NO. 8 TRITON CENTRAL (7-1) AT INDIANAPOLIS SCECINA (6-2)

SITE: Indianapolis Arsenal Tech.

GAME TIME: 7 p.m.

COACHES: Tim Able, 117-41 in 13^th year at Triton Central, 242-139 in 32^nd year overall; Dan Harris, 8-10 in second year at Scecina.

SAGARIN RATINGS: Triton Central, 64.41, 86^th overall, 11th in Class 2A; Scecina, 36.9, 209^th overall, 37^th in Class 2A. Triton Central is 28-point favorite.

LAST MEETING: Triton Central defeated Scecina, 19-16 on Oct. 4, 2024.

AROUND THE HLC: Covenant Christian (2-6) at Speedway (0-8); Monrovia (3-5, 2-2 HLC) at Class 3A, No. 15 Indian Creek (5-3, 2-2 HLC); and Class 3A, No. 7 Tri-West (6-2, 3-1 HLC) at Beech Grove (2-6, 1-3 HLC).

CLASS 2A, SECTIONAL 38 PAIRINGS: Northeastern (7-1) at Shenandoah (5-3); No. 8 Triton Central (7-1) at Centerville (6-2); No. 3 Lapel (8-0) at Winchester (7-1); and No. 12 Eastern Hancock (5-3) at Union County (1-7).