Class 2A, No. 9 Triton Central ventures out of conference for first meeting with Lebanon

Limited scheduling options brings Class 4A Lebanon to Fairland Friday to face Class 2A, No. 9 Triton Central.

The debut of the Hoosier Legends Conference (HLC) this season left Triton Central without a week six opponent. The addition of Shelbyville and Greenwood to the HLC in 2026 will simplify future scheduling, leaving two non-conference weeks and seven conference contests.

So the Tigers of Triton Central (5-0) had a slot to fill and the Tigers of Lebanon (4-1) stepped in to create a first-time meeting between the two programs.

The game offers Triton Central a midseason break from its conference schedule one week ahead of a crucial HLC meeting with Indian Creek (4-1).

Lebanon finished 9-3 in 2024 then lost its coach and a sizable senior class including quarterback Jackson Folden (2,052 passing yards, 33 touchdowns). Former defensive coordinator Josh Yoder is now in charge and has the Tigers on a 4-game win streak after a season-opening loss at Class 4A, No. 8 Pendleton Heights (4-1), 22-14.

Senior dual-threat quarterback Chris Hill (65 of 94, 849 yards, 7 TDs) has Lebanon averaging 34.8 points per game this season.

“They like to run it more, but they can throw,” said Triton Central head coach Tim Able (photo). “It’s not anything we haven’t seen. They like to pound it to set up the pass. We have to cover (well). The key is to keep the quarterback in the pocket. We’ve got to get a hold of him. He is very elusive.”

Senior running back Josh Parks (95 rushes, 582 yards, 8 TDs) and junior back Jeremiah Howard (33 rushes, 170 yards, 5 TDs) are a potent 1-2 punch for the offense.

Hill’s top receivers are junior Tannon Monden (24 catches, 332 yards, 4 TDs) and senior Jacob Jones (14 catches, 270 yards, 3 TDs).

Lebanon’s offensive unit will put pressure on a Triton Central defense that has been outstanding much of the season, allowing just four second-half touchdowns in five games and surrendering just 12.2 ppg.

Following a shaky second quarter Friday at Speedway where the winless Sparkplugs scored 10 points to create a 10-7 halftime advantage, the Tigers dominated the final two quarters.

Speedway had six offensive possessions in the second half and punted on the first five. The sixth, and final, possession ended on downs. After getting nine first downs in the first half and more than 150 yards of offense, the Sparkplugs were held to zero first downs and minus-4 yards of offense in the second half.

“They didn’t have any new plays. Our kids adjusted to seeing the plays over and over,” said Able. “Speedway had some success. They had a little success and didn’t know how to handle that.”

With Speedway’s offense finally put in neutral, Triton Central’s offense went to work. Able had consistently praised the development of junior quarterback Matthew Wilkins (photo), who threw a pair of second-half touchdowns to Henry Kemper and Conner McClure to secure a 21-10 road victory and the program’s first 5-0 start since 2018.

“Matthew is really turning the corner. He’s had a great week of practice,” said Able.

Wilkins’ development has come behind a revolving door of offensive linemen forced into action after injuries to senior Seth Richardson (calf) and junior Kellan Dishman (shoulder). Both will miss Friday’s Homecoming game against Lebanon.

Returning to Triton Central’s lineup will be senior Zeke Robertson (photo), who suffered a broken hand in the week three win at Tri-West. Robertson, an All-State receiver who leads the team with 18 receptions for 241 yards, will not do much offensively Friday while still sporting a cast. He will help defensively in coverage against Lebanon’s passing game.

With an injury to senior kicker Nick Tormoehlen earlier in the week during a TC soccer game, Able turned to a trio of players to fill the special teams roles of kicker and punter at Speedway.

Sophomore Evan Mitchell handled the kickoff duties.

Wilkins, who punted in 2024, added that duty against the Sparkplugs. Wilkins also is the holder for extra-point kicks. With Mitchell being left-footed, Able did not want to alter what has been working so well between long snapper Kail Slaughter and Wilkins to set up Tormoehlen, who kicks extra points right-footed.

So Able went deep into the roster and called on Denmark exchange student Julius Schlottman and he delivered perfectly after all three Triton Central touchdowns.

“He is still learning to play football,” said Able. “He’s learning to catch at 6-5. And he is just learning how to kick a football.”

Tormoehlen may be used sparingly Friday as he continues through recovery.

LEBANON (4-1) AT CLASS 2A, NO. 9 TRITON CENTRAL (5-0)

SITE: Mendenhall Field in Fairland.

GAME TIME: 7 p.m.

COACHES: Josh Yoder, 4-1 in first year at Lebanon; Tim Able, 115-40 in 13^th year at Triton Central, 240-138 in 32^nd year overall.

SAGARIN RATINGS: Lebanon, 71.18, 57^th overall, 15^th in Class 4A; Triton Central, 65.45, 93rd overall, 11th in Class 2A. Lebanon is a 3-point favorite.

LAST MEETING: This is the first meeting between the two programs.

AROUND THE HLC: Beech Grove (3-2) at Edgewood (5-0); Class 3A, No. 14 Indian Creek (4-1, 1-0) at Class 3A, No. 8 Tri-West (4-1, 1-1); and Speedway (0-5, 0-2) at Monrovia (2-3, 1-1).

CLASS 2A, SECTIONAL 38: No. 11 Northeastern (5-0), No. 3 Lapel (5-0), No. 9 Triton Central (5-0), Centerville (4-1), Winchester (4-1), Shenandoah (3-2), Eastern Hancock (2-3), Union County (1-4).

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