Defense leading way for Class 2A, No. 9 Triton Central

The first Hoosier Legends Conference football game was a memorable one.

In a battle of top 10 ranked teams last Friday in Lizton, Triton Central kicked a field goal in the game’s final 15 seconds to defeat Tri-West, 17-14.

The win netted the Tigers a newly created traveling trophy for the two schools shaped to look like an interstate sign.

“Honestly, we are still trying to figure out where to put it. It’s so big,” said Triton Central head coach Tim Able of the “Battle of Interstate 74” sign. “We tried to put it in a trophy case but it’s heavy. It’s metal. It’s steel.”

The sign (photo) is a visible reminder of how strong Triton Central has been in the fourth quarter this season. The Tigers’ final drive at Tri-West Friday zapped more than six minutes off the clock and forced the Bruins to exhaust all their timeouts. And for the second time in three games, Nick Tormoehlen delivered a game-winning kick.

“They continue to rise to the occasion, just like at Batesville,” said Able of his special teams unit. “Our kicker, our snapper (Kail Slaughter) and our holder (Matthew Wilkins) were dead perfect.”

Triton Central’s defense continues to play well. The performance at Tri-West came with three defensive starters sidelined after defensive lineman Seth Richardson (photo) left with a lower leg injury. Conner McClure (injury) and Tryden LaTulippe (suspension) did not dress for the week three contest.

“The defense dominated,” said Able. “They did exactly what they needed to do other than that first drive. The kids got physical. They hit the quarterback and he was never the same the rest of the game.”

Tri-West quarterback Jack Sorgi threw for just over 600 yards in wins over Western Boone and Brebeuf Jesuit but struggled to find open receivers in the first half against Triton Central.

Where the Bruins found success was on the ground and the six-foot, four-inch Louisville commit was active. On a third down scramble, though, Sorgi was hit hard a yard short of the first down marker. The junior was slow to get up and walk off the field.

Tri-West stayed aggressive on fourth-and-one at the Triton Central 8-yard line in a 7-7 game. Backup quarterback Cody Morgan fumbled the snap. The officials took plenty of time to determine possession of the ball, Morgan recovered it under a pile of players, and if it was enough for a first down.

Meanwhile, Braden Brown (photo), who starts at running back and inside linebacker for Triton Central was able to rest while awaiting the final decision.

Tri-West came up short. Triton Central took over and immediately put the ball in Brown’s hands. The senior All-State running back rumbled and raced 93 yards for a touchdown.

Triton Central’s offense did not score again, hampered by penalties and a pair of third quarter interceptions by quarterback Matthew Wilkins, until the final seconds of the game.

Sorgi completed a 50-yard heave in the game’s final seconds that would have allowed his team an opportunity at a game-tying field goal, but without a timeout in reserve the clock expired.

Week two of Triton Central’s HLC schedule presents a completely different challenge. Run-based Monrovia (1-2) comes to Mendenhall Field Friday looking to capitalize off a 22-15 win over Kokomo last week. The Bulldogs rushed for 320 yards against the winless Wildkats (0-3) and the defense collected five interceptions.

Triton Central’s defense will attempt to force Monrovia into passing situations to get it away from its vaunted ground game.

“They’ve got some shotgun stuff,” said Able. “We want to make them go to the passing game. To be honest, we defend the pass very well.”

Senior quarterback Clay Thacker has completed 7-of-17 pass attempts for 86 yards in three games. Thacker’s role is to get the ball into the hands of a new crop of running backs.

Sophomore Ryder Bain leads the Bulldogs with 319 yards rushing and four touchdowns. Junior Coewen Stinson has 145 yards rushing on 35 attempts while sophomore Gavin Wolsiffer is averaging 4.8 yards per carry on 16 attempts.

“They are a pretty young team,” said Able. “Our experience needs to take over.”

McClure (photo) will return to the Triton Central lineup Friday, according to Abel. Richardson will not play. There is no timetable for his return. LaTulippe will finish his two-game suspension Friday and should be eligible to return against Speedway on Sept. 19.

Grant Kegley (photo), a senior, will replace Richardson on the offensive line and see defensive reps along with several others to keep up the pressure on a young Monrovia offensive line.

“It will be a slugfest as always,” said Able.

MONROVIA (1-2) AT CLASS 2A, NO. 9 TRITON CENTRAL (3-0)

SITE: Mendenhall Field in Fairland.

GAME TIME: 7 p.m.

PROMOTION: Future Tiger Football and Cheerleaders Night.

COACHES: Andy Olson, 34-28 in sixth year at Monrovia; Tim Able, 113-40 in 13^th year at Triton Central, 238-138 in 32^nd year overall.

SAGARIN RATINGS: Monrovia, 63.32, 122^nd in overall, 14^th in Class 2A; Triton Central, 72.12, 64^th overall, fifth in Class 2A. Triton Central is a 12-point favorite.

LAST MEETING: Monrovia defeated Triton Central, 35-21, on Sept. 13, 2024. Seniors Ryder Pool, Noah Bryant and Jozy Hand combined to rush for 412 yards and five touchdowns in the Bulldogs’ Indiana Crossroads Conference victory.

AROUND THE HLC: Class 4A, No. 12 Beech Grove (3-0, 0-0 HLC) at Class 3A, No. 13 Indian Creek (3-0, 0-0 HLC); and Class 3A, No. 10 Tri-West (2-1, 0-1 HLC) at Speedway (0-3, 0-0 HLC).

The Shelby County Post is a digital newspaper producing news, sports, obituaries and more without a pay wall or subscription needed.