Season Preview: Triton Central reloads with players hungry for the spotlight

FAIRLAND – Despite graduation stripping most of Triton Central’s 2023 offensive production, there is a sense of confidence from the “next men up” that the program will continue its recent string of success that includes winning five straight sectional titles.

“The identity has definitely changed a little bit. We did lose a lot of power last year. I think people are kind of underestimating what we got back too,” said junior receiver and defensive back Zeke Robertson. “Last year’s seniors, they left a big mark on Triton Central, four years in a row sectional champs. We have to keep that going. I think we will leave an imprint just as big as they did.”

To find similar success, Triton Central head coach Tim Able will rely on a veteran offensive and defensive line to control the line of scrimmage.

“We’ve been impressed with the senior leadership from day one,” said Abel (photo), now with 226 career wins in his Hall of Fame career. “They have tried to take ownership of the lockerroom and doing things right on and off the field. They are highly competitive. They are kids that want to get better each and every day.”

Both offensive tackles are seniors – Colton Crawford (6-2, 225 pounds) and Willie Baugh (6-3, 230). Senior Andrew Bailey (5-11, 245) will line up next to Baugh as the right guard.

Sophomore Kellan Dishman (5-10, 250) is the starting left guard and junior Seth Richardson (5-11, 245) will snap the ball to the new starting quarterback, senior Sam Collier (6-1, 165).

“Our line has a bunch of returning players. I am expecting a lot of dominance on both sides (of the ball),” said Richardson (photo). “We have strong guys out there and we are quick. We know what we are doing.”

Crawford, Richardson and Baugh will be active on the defensive side of the ball as well along with senior Xavier Seabrook (5-8, 245) and sophomore Dallas Clarke (6-3, 235).

“I think the defensive line will be pretty good. We have a pretty good interior with Seth Richardson, Dallas Clarke and Xavier Seabrook. Those are big guys to move,” said Baugh (photo). “I’m more of a speed guy. I am pretty excited for this defensive line because I think it's underrated a little bit.”

Seniors Ben Wilkins (6-1, 200) and Nick Riggins (5-10, 195) will lead the defense from their linebacker positions with Wilkins now wearing the coveted No. 23 jersey worn by past signal callers.

“(Ben) has worked harder and is ready to have a big season,” said Able. “Our No. 23 started back with Mason Durrett to Hayden Kermode to Lucas Kleeman and Sam Kemper. So now you have Ben Wilkins. It’s kind of a neat little tradition that No. 23 is the guy that has to step up to the plate.”

Wilkins is ready for the responsibility.

“I feel like I am a little bit of a different player this year,” admitted Wilkins (photo). “Last year, I feel like I was still trying to find my role on the team. This year, I started last year but this year starting again at inside linebacker, I feel like the team has more respect for me and what I have to say and what I do on the field.”

Senior Chase Chandler (6-0, 175) will lead the defensive back field along with Robertson (5-10, 170) and senior Cash Compton (6-0, 160).

With the loss of quarterback Jace Stuckey, running back Ray Crawford and receiver Brayden Wilkins, Triton Central’s offense returns less than 300 yards of productivity from the 2023 season.

Abel turns the offense over to Collier, who has lost just three junior varsity games the last three seasons while waiting in the wings behind Stuckey, now in a battle for the quarterback position at Eastern Michigan University.

“I look forward to it. It’s what I’ve wanted to do since I started playing in fourth grade,” said Collier (photo), who praised Stuckey as a strong mentor over their shared high school careers. “I wanted to be the one running the offense, be the one everyone looks up to, especially the little kids that see you out there playing on Friday nights. It’s going to be fun.”

Being a senior may be to Collier’s advantage when it comes to following the program’s record-setting quarterback. Stuckey holds six of Triton Central’s top eight single-game, passing yard games, the top two single-season passing yard marks and is the program’s career passing yards leader at 7,042 yards.

Collier is comfortable labeling himself as a different type of quarterback and the pressure to follow in Stuckey’s footsteps does not appear daunting.

“I learned a lot from Jace. He was a great mentor,” said Collier. “I learned a lot from him whether it was good or bad outcomes on the field for him. I have always been more comfortable in the pocket, never real fast or real strong or quick. I knew what I was good at and stuck with it.

“No two people are the same. I wish I had Jace’s arm but that is not the case. I have to stick with what I’m good at. If I’m at my best on the field, I know my team has my back. They will keep me up, pull me up.”

Collier will target Robertson (photo) and Chandler often but will need his veteran offensive line to keep junior Braden Brown (6-2, 190), sophomore Kade Stephens (6-0, 175) and senior Chris Perkon (5-5, 195) productive moving the chains.

“It definitely feels different because we lost Jace, a D-I player. We lost Ray (Crawford), who was a staple in our program for four years, and Brayden (Wilkins), who was a great athlete, but I think we have filled in with players that have a lot of experience,” said Perkon (photo). “We have skill guys that can replace guys that we’ve lost.”

Triton Central has started the season 2-1 the last five years and has not been under .500 through the first four games since 2015 – Able’s third season in Fairland. The 2024 schedule, the Tigers’ final season as part of the Indiana Crossroads Conference, begins with two new non-conference challengers in Batesville and Hamilton Heights – a pair of Class 3A schools that each won 11 games in 2023.

In fact, Triton Central has not lost its season opener since 2004 but that 19-year streak is in jeopardy Friday with a Batesville team priming for a run to the state championship behind standout senior quarterback Will Jaisle (1,840 yards, 29 touchdowns in 2023).

“They like to run the ball but are trusting this quarterback more,” said Abel of Batesville, a program Triton Central has not beaten in two meetings more than three decades ago.

The Bulldogs matched their program record in 2023 with 11 wins and their first sectional title since 2015. Batesville lost in the regional championship game to Heritage Hills, the eventual 3A state runner-up, 24-21.

“It’s a home game thank goodness,” said Able. “We have to come ready to play. The kids are excited about the challenge.”

Not only will Triton Central’s defense have to deal with Jaisle, a Notre Dame baseball recruit, but also senior running back Gage Pohlman (1,583 yards, 16 TDs) and senior receiver Cade Kaiser (50 receptions, 799 yards, 17 TDs).

Triton Central’s first road game follows on Aug. 30 at Hamilton Heights, a program that won 11 games last season but also was hit hard by graduation.

The Tigers’ first ICC game is Sept. 7 against Class 2A, No. 1 Indianapolis Lutheran, who has won 43 straight games and the last three Class A state championships.

Triton Central travels to Monrovia, who will be part of the newly-created Hoosier Legends Conference in 2025 with TC, on Sept. 13, then hosts Covenant Christian, 7-4 in 2023, who joined the ICC this season.

The schedule concludes with back-to-back road games at Indianapolis Ritter and Indianapolis Scecina and home games against Beech Grove and Speedway.

The Tigers have reached the sectional championship game in each of Able’s 11 seasons in Fairland.

Sectional 38 now includes four teams in addition to Triton Central that won at least seven games in 2023 and a Lapel program that finished 5-5 and returns several key players.

Eastern Hancock won a sectional title last season and finished 8-5. Centerville (9-1), Winchester (8-3) and Northeastern (7-3) also were successful.

Shenandoah had a down season at 1-9 and Union County finished 0-10 and had a new coach.

Class 3A, No. 11 Batesville at Class 2A, No. 13 Triton Central

Site: Mendenhall Field in Fairland.

Kickoff: 7 p.m.

Student theme: Water Games/Hawaiian (seniors dress as lifeguards), water guns and pool toys (beach balls, floaties, etc.) are recommended.

Coaches: Evan Ulery, 52-38 in ninth year at Batesville; Tim Able, 101-37 in 12^th year at Triton Central, 226-135 in 31^st year overall.

2023 records: Batesville 11-2 (sectional champion); Triton Central 11-2 (sectional champion).

Key players lost: TE/DL Bobby Weiler (8 rec., 135 yards; 55 tackles, 13 tackles for loss, 3 QB sacks), LB Carter Bohman (75 tackles), LB Deacon Hamilton (52 tackles), DB Jonathan Buschle (32 tackles) (Batesville); QB Jace Stuckey (2,827 passing yards, 31 TDs), RB Ray Crawford (4,004 career rushing yards), WR Brayden Wilkins (1,387 all-purpose yards, 12 TDs), WR Mason Compton (24 receptions, 518 yards), LB Sam Kemper, K Levi Dewey (two-time All-State selection).

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