Triton Central prepping for motivated opponent Friday in Sectional 37 opener

Landon Ball was a key factor in Triton Central’s 30-3 win over Indianapolis Scecina on Aug. 28. The junior running back rushed for a season-high 144 yards on 22 carries to get the Tigers a fourth consecutive win over the Crusaders.

On Friday, Scecina (1-8) returns to Mendenhall Field (photo) to face Triton Central (3-6) in a Class 2A, Sectional 37 quarterfinal round game.

“Scecina’s roster is like 33 to 35 (players) and 11 are seniors. What do they have to lose?” said Triton Central head coach Tim Kegley. “We are ready for anything. They will give us their best.”

Scecina’s lone win in the regular season came on Oct. 2 when the Crusaders overwhelmed winless Heritage Christian (0-9), 43-18. It was the only time Scecina’s defense held an opponent under 25 points all season.

That statistic would heavily favor Triton Central with senior quarterback Matthew Wilkins (1,894 passing yards, 18 touchdowns) directing the offense. That may not be the case Friday in Fairland. He suffered a shoulder injury in last Friday’s 35-7 loss to unbeaten Indian Creek (9-0) which moved Ball under center.

Wilkins (photo) is getting treatment this week with the goal of getting one more game on his home field

“We will have Plan B ready for Friday,” said Kegley.

Ball completed just 2 of 7 pass attempts in emergency action against the Braves. If he moves to quarterback against Scecina, the Tigers will become more ground oriented.

“The clock will be moving,” said Kegley. “You will probably see less number of possessions for both teams. We will be emphasizing the importance of each possession.”

Ball (photo), Triton Central’s leading rusher this season with 350 yards, will rely on senior Cooper Marlin and junior Tevian Faulkner to carry the load. The aerial attack will be limited which phases out top receivers Henry Kemper (64 receptions, 967 yards, nine TDs) and Dylan Showalter (25 receptions, 544 yards, four TDs).

Kemper (photo) needs just five receptions to break Dakota Nelson’s program record for a season set in 2011. The senior’s 967 receiving yards is fourth best for a season.

Triton Central’s defense, which has allowed 80 points in its last two losses to top 10 ranked Tri-West (45-12) and Indian Creek, must keep Scecina quarterback Bryce McDonald from influencing the game. The senior has thrown for 1,806 yards and 15 touchdowns this season.

“Their run game is not a real concern the way we are playing against the run,” said Kegley. “We have to contain their quarterback. He does a good job throwing on the run. Their wide receivers are athletes that get open. We have to cover well.”

Senior Gavin Connel leads Scecina in rushing yards (342). Tristan Brown, another senior, leads the program with 49 receptions for 691 yards and seven touchdowns. Connel has 23 receptions (213 yards) and sophomore Micah Miller has 17 for 325 yards.

“We have to keep everything in front of us,” said Kegley (photo). “We have to control the run game and make them uncomfortable.”

The Tigers limited Scecina to 53 rushing yards in the first meeting and kept McDonald under a 50% completion rate while intercepting him twice.

In six losses this season, Triton Central is minus-10 in the turnover battle. Kegley wants to see his defense limit the Crusaders’ success and get off the field.

“I think we are playing very well defensively. We stuffed the run (against Indian Creek). That was the No. 1 goal,” he said. “Despite giving up 80 points in two weeks, I think we are playing as well defensively as we have this year. I know it looks like I am trying to find a silver lining.

“Of all the things I track defensively, the only thing missing is takeaways. We have to be able to create takeaways which is very helpful.”

Triton Central has not missed playing in a sectional championship game since 2012. The pursuit of a 14th consecutive postseason with at least two wins begins Friday in likely the only home game the Tigers will enjoy in Sectional 37.

The winner of Friday’s game at Mendenhall Field will likely play at Class 2A, No. 3 Indianapolis Lutheran (8-0). The Saints are a heavy favorite to win Friday at Park Tudor (5-4). 

Class 2A, No. 5 Eastern Hancock (9-0) should dominate the lower half of the bracket that includes Christel House (2-5), Indianapolis Ritter (4-5) and Covenant Christian (7-2) and be the home team in the sectional championship game.

The Royals’ offense is averaging 50.4 points per game this season.

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