Triton Central football looking to avoid first 0-2 start since 2004

With its run game stalled, Triton Central felt the need to trust senior quarterback Sam Collier in his first varsity start.

Collier ended up with 27 pass attempts in his debut, competing 14, including a 41-yard scoring strike to Zeke Robertson in the second quarter, but it is not the ideal scenario for Triton Central success this season.

The end result was just 20 yards rushing on 25 attempts and a 21-14 loss Friday in the season opener against Class 3A, No. 11 Batesville.

“We have to come ready to play four quarters,” said Triton Central head coach Tim Able, who suffered his first game-one loss in 12 seasons in Fairland. “We started OK but need to finish. We had (a win). We were up 14. You have got to find a way to win those.”

Triton Central’s veteran offensive line never got control of the line of scrimmage which put more pressure on Collier (photo), who completed 52% of his pass attempts for 175 yards. He also rushed for a second-quarter touchdown that helped the Tigers build a 14-0 lead on the Bulldogs.

Batesville scored a touchdown in each of the final three quarters with quarterback Will Jaisle rushing for one score and throwing for two more.

In week two, Triton Central will again see a talented quarterback in Hamilton Heights sophomore Drew Woodruff, who completed 19 of 34 pass attempts for 290 yards and two touchdowns in a week one loss to Lapel, 29-20.

“He’s an athletic quarterback at 6-4 … a young guy with a strong arm,” said Able. “He will be a good one. He can scramble. We need to limit his runs and make him hurry to throw.”

The Huskies had trouble running the ball. The offense managed just 14 yards on 14 carries but senior receivers Keaton Weaver and Tyler Champion combined for 13 receptions for 229 yards.

“Our defense is our key,” said Able. “We have to take care of coverages and keep the quarterback in the pocket. We have to have lane integrity in the rush and the linebackers have to keep an eye on the quarterback.”

For Triton Central, Devon Gurganus (photo) and Colton Crawford each had 10 total tackles in the loss to Batesville. Nick Riggins followed with nine and Zeke Robertson and Seth Richardson each had seven.

This is the final non-conference game on Triton Central’s schedule. The last time the Tigers started a season 0-2 was in 2004. That team finished 3-7.

Able has not coached a team to an 0-2 start since 2008 when he was the head coach at Decatur Central. That team finished 2-8.

The Tigers host Class 2A, No. 1 Indianapolis Lutheran in week three. The Saints have won 44 consecutive games and the last three Class A state championships.

Triton Central at Hamilton Heights

Site: Husky Stadium in Arcadia, Indiana.

Kickoff: 7 p.m.

Travel note: There is construction ongoing at Hamilton Heights High School. Fans are asked to park in the North lot. Tickets can be purchased in advance at Eventlink or pay cash or credit ($6) at north ticket booth.

TC student theme: Tie dye/hippie.

2024 records: Triton Central 0-1; Hamilton Heights 0-1.

Coaches: Tim Able, 101-38 in 12^th  year at TC, 226-136 in 31^st year overall; Jon Kirschner, 33-31 in seventh year at Hamilton Heights.

2023 records: Triton Central 11-2; Hamilton Heights 11-1.

Last meeting: Hamilton Heights defeated Triton Central 21-0 on Sept. 2, 1994.

Sagarin rating: Triton Central 67.65 (4th in Class 2A, 89th in state); Hamilton Heights 66.32 (19th in Class 3A, 98^th in state). Hamilton Heights is a 1-point favorite.

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