Triton Central head coach Tim Able has been pleased with more balanced offensive production the last two weeks that has led to impressive wins over Covenant Christian (40-0) and Indianapolis Cardinal Ritter (36-21).
To keep a good run-pass mix Friday, a pair of juniors with a combined six rushes this season will have to be effective.
Sophomore Kade Stephens, Triton Central’s leading rusher this season with 397 yards and five touchdowns, has been ruled out with an injury ahead of the Tigers’ Indiana Crossroads Conference contest with Indianapolis Scecina. The game will be played at Bishop Chatard High School in Indianapolis.
With Stephens sidelined, Braden Brown and Bo West will share the rushing duties. Senior quarterback Sam Collier is the program’s second-leading rusher this season with 29 carries for 37 yards but he reached the end zone twice Saturday at Ritter and threw two touchdowns to keep the Tigers in contention for the ICC title.
Both of Collier’s scoring throws were caught by junior Brayden Whitlow (photo), who gives the offense another receiving weapon to go with Zeke Robertson (28 catches, 379 yards, five TDs) and Chase Chandler (23 catches, 281 yards, two TDs).
“He is very elusive, undersized at times, but gets separation really quick and has good hands,” said Able of Whitlow, who has six receptions for 69 yards this season. “And he has a good connection with Sam.”
One of Whitlow’s touchdown receptions Saturday came on what has become a staple weapon of the Tigers this season – the sideline route in the end zone. Collier’s ability to deliver the ball into the receiver’s hands just before going out of bounds has been impressive.
“They work on it and perfect it,” admitted Able of the route. “(Sam) has good touch on the corner ball. We have to get down there to do it more often.”
Able also expects junior Conner McClure (photo) to see more time on offense this week after returning from an injury last week. He brings added depth to the receiver corps.
Able is still searching for that perfect week from Triton Central, still sitting just outside the top 10 in the state coaches poll. The veteran coach admits the altered schedule that has included two wins on Saturdays has made it difficult to find the right rhythm.
“Ritter played harder than we did in the second half,” said Able, who now has 230 career wins in 31 seasons as a head coach. “We need to play four quarters. We still haven’t done that.”
And that starts with having four solid practices ahead of the Friday night contests.
“Game two we had to go back (to Hamilton Heights) on Saturday. Game five (against Covenant Christian) was just half a game. And game six, we ate our pre-game meal (Friday) but didn’t go to the game (at Ritter) until Saturday,” said Able.
Triton Central had to wait until Saturday because of inclement weather Friday to defeat Ritter and remain one game back of Monrovia in the ICC standings.
Class 2A, No. 6 Monrovia leads the ICC at 4-0 (5-1 overall). Class 2A, No. 2 Indianapolis Lutheran (5-1, 3-1 ICC) and 2A No. 13 Triton Central (4-2, 3-1 ICC) are the only teams left with just one loss.
Monrovia is at Lutheran Friday. A Saints win over Monrovia and a Triton Central win over Scecina would create a three-way tie atop the standings with two weeks to go.
“Lutheran is looking pretty good. They are getting back to their old ways,” said Able. “Monrovia is really physical. It should be a good game.”
Triton Central’s final two games of the regular season are at home at Mendenhall Field against Beech Grove (3-3, 2-2) and Speedway (3-3, 2-2).
The Pairings Show for the IHSAA Football State Tournament is Oct. 13 at 6 p.m.
Class 2A, Sectional 38 includes three teams currently with four wins, a five-win Centerville team and 6-0 Northeastern.
Class 2A, No. 13 Triton Central at Indianapolis Scecina
Site: Indianapolis Bishop Chatard High School, 5885 Crittenden Avenue, Indianapolis.
Kickoff: 7 p.m.
Broadcast: The GIANT fm pre-game show will air live from Chatard High School at 6 p.m. Listen live at 96.5 fm, 106.3 fm, 1520 am or online at GIANT.fm.
TC student theme: White lies.
2024 records: Triton Central 4-2, 3-1 ICC; Scecina 2-4, 2-2 ICC.
Coaches: Tim Able, 105-39 in 12th year at TC, 230-137 in 31st year overall; Dan Harris, 2-4 in first year at Scecina.
Last meeting: Triton Central defeated Scecina at Mendenhall Field, 38-14, on Sept. 29, 2023.
Sagarin rating: Triton Central 59.61 (121st overall, 15th in Class 2A); Scecina 45.44 (187th overall, 29th in Class 2A). Triton Central is a 14-point favorite.
Sectional 38: Centerville (5-1), Northeastern (6-0), Lapel (4-2), Class 2A, No. 13 Triton Central (4-2), Shenandoah (4-2), Union County (0-6), Eastern Hancock (3-3) and Winchester (1-5).
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