Triton Central seeking cleaner performance in home opener against Hamilton Heights

Hall of Fame football coach Tim Able consistently preaches a successful team is strong in three phases of the game – offense, defense and special teams.

In Friday’s season-opening 11-10 win at Batesville, the Triton Central coach saw his team excel in two of those phases – defense and special teams.

Senior Nick Tormoehlen delivered a trio of 50-plus-yard punts including one just past the midway point of the fourth quarter that pinned the Bulldogs deep in their own territory. He then delivered the game-winning field goal with 55 seconds left to seal the win at Batesville.

Tormoehlen honored for performance -- https://www.giant.fm/shelby-county/news/sports-news/tormoehlen-named-beth-prince-state-farm-athlete-of-the-week/

Triton Central’s defense limited Batesville to 197 yards of offense, bolstered by a 75-yard touchdown run by Zadiin Small as time expired in the first quarter.

“We had a good game plan,” said Able. “They didn’t know how we were going to play. Other than that one play where we lost contain on the run, the young man made a good run. We knew they were limited in their passing (game).”

Batesville completed just 5 of 13 pass attempts for 45 yards and rushed for 77 yards on 30 attempts outside of Small’s scoring run up the Triton Central sideline that made it 7-0.

The Tigers amassed 252 yards of offense but never got into gear because of seven penalties and an interception.

“We made mistakes last week we don’t want to make this week,” said Able.

The win was the first for junior starting quarterback Matthew Wilkins, who finished 12 of 20 for 130 yards. The interception he threw was in the end zone and closed out the opening series of the game.

“You take away one pass and it was a really good game for a varsity guy,” said Able.

Triton Central’s only touchdown came late in the first half when Braden Brown (photo) finished a short drive with a 5-yard scoring run. Sensing a defensive struggle in the second half, Able opted for a 2-point conversion attempt and put the ball back in Brown’s hands.

The senior broke a tackle behind the line of scrimmage then busted through multiple defenders to reach the end zone.

“I have not seen a better run in high school,” said Able. “The first guy had him at the 9-yard line. (Braden) was on one foot and with his head down. A couple of our kids got blocked but then a couple of Batesville (players) knocked each other over.”

That play proved crucial when Triton Central took possession at its own 20 and trailing 10-8 in the fourth quarter.

Wilkins (photo) directed a 13-play drive that included three connections with Zeke Robertson that netted 14, 14 and 12 yards.

“Matthew was doing a good job getting the ball in and out,” said Able. “He was taking what was there.”

Robertson finished with a game-high seven receptions for 69 yards.

Three straight plays involving Bo West (photo) gained another first down and pushed the game clock down near the final minute. Batesville was forced to call timeout to have any chance to get another offensive possession.

A pair of Brown runs set up third-and-two at the Batesville 13. Wilkins tried to find Henry Kemper in the end zone but missed. Tormoehlen gave the Tigers the lead with a 30-yard field goal with 55 seconds left on the clock.

Triton Central hosts Hamilton Heights Friday at Mendenhall Field for its home opener. The Huskies opened the season with a loss to the team that ended Triton Central’s five-year streak of sectional championships. Lapel rushed for just over 200 yards while quarterback Devin Craig completed 50% of his passes for 124 yards and one touchdown.

Hamilton Heights finished 4-7 in 2024 – its first losing season since 2020 – but has a strong nucleus of offensive starters back, including six-foot, five-inch quarterback Drew Woodruff (77 of 168 pass attempts, 931 yards, four touchdowns in 2024).

“They will mix it up. They have a 6-5 quarterback that can run and throw,” said Able. “They have a good run game. They have a good passing game. You have to cover them short, medium and long.”

Defensively, Able is concerned with the Huskies ability to blitz the quarterback.

“It will be a constant blitz test,” he said. “We’ve got to keep them from wanting to blitz.”

HAMILTON HEIGHTS at CLASS 2A, NO. 11 TRITON CENTRAL

SITE: Mendenhall Field in Fairland.

GAME TIME: 7 p.m.

COACHES: Jon Kirschner, 37-38 in eighth year at Hamilton Heights; Tim Able, 111-40 in 13^th year at Triton Central, 236-138 in 32^nd year overall.

SAGARIN RATINGS: Hamilton Heights 57.32, 205^th overall, 40^th in Class 3A; Triton Central 69.09, 96^th overall, ninth in Class 2A. Triton Central is a 15-point favorite.

LAST MEETING: Triton Central won 17-14 in overtime in Arcadia on Aug. 31, 2024.

SERIES ALL-TIME: Hamilton Heights leads the series 6-2.

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