During Tim Able’s highly successful run as Triton Central’s football coach, the Tigers have won six sectional championships. Over that same 11-year span, Triton Central has won just one Indiana Crossroads Conference title.
The Tigers can make it two Friday night in their final ICC contest.
“We only have one by our self,” said Able. “It’s something we’ve been talking about this week. It’s been championship Friday every week (since a 35-21 loss at Monrovia on Sept. 13).”
Triton Central’s only ICC title came in 2014.
With the Tigers’ win over Indianapolis Lutheran and loss to Monrovia, all three programs are set up to share the ICC title. Lutheran needs to defeat Beech Grove Friday and Monrovia must win against Indianapolis Scecina. All three programs are at least a two-touchdown favorite Friday night.
The Tigers’ share of the title comes with a win over Speedway (4-4, 3-3 ICC), who lost to Lutheran last Friday, 49-7.
“They have a unique defense. They’ve got quickness and a good quarterback,” said Able.
Junior quarterback Connor Moreland has passed for 1,324 yards and 16 touchdowns this season. He threw for 259 yards and three touchdowns in the Sparkplugs’ loss to Monrovia on Sept. 28.
Junior running back Jazz Coleman rushed for 157 yards and a touchdown against Triton Central last season. He has racked up 807 yards and 11 touchdowns this season.
Moreland has four receivers with at least 12 catches this year. His top targets are senior Cameren Biggs (14 receptions, 360 yards, four TDs) and junior Vinsin Jean (18 receptions, 268 yards, three TDs).
Triton Central will be without starting 2023 All-ICC squad member Colton Crawford, who is dealing with a shoulder injury that will keep him out of this week’s contest. That will push Drew Peterson (photo) into action on the offensive line and lean more on Chase Chandler, Conner McClure and Devon Gurganus defensively.
Senior quarterback Sam Collier (photo) has surpassed 1,500 yards passing after throwing for nearly 200 yards and three touchdowns against Beech Grove last week.
Sophomore running back Kade Stephens will miss another week with injury, but Bo West and Braden Brown have been a dynamic 1-2 punch over the last two weeks. Against Beech Grove, they combined for 269 rushing yards and five touchdowns.
Brown (photo) had an 84-yard touchdown run and also caught five passes for 93 more yards.
“His role is expanding every week,” said Able of Brown. “He has elite speed and size.”
Friday is Senior Night in Fairland and without a firm grasp on how Sectional 38 will play out, it could be the final game at Mendenhall Field for a group of seniors that have been extremely successful.
“Reality is starting to hit them in the head,” said Able.
The Tigers will head east for its sectional opener on Oct. 25. Triton Central will face winless Union County (0-8) with an offense averaging just 2.8 points per game this season.
Triton Central landed in the bottom half of the 8-team sectional bracket with the three programs with the worst records in the field. The other quarterfinal game has Shenandoah (4-4) at Winchester (3-5).
If Winchester defeats Shenandoah and Triton Central wins, the semifinal game will be played in Fairland. If Shenandoah wins, the Raiders will host the Tigers.
The top half of the bracket has Lapel (5-3) at Northeastern (8-0) and Eastern Hancock (5-3) at Centerville (7-1).
Speedway at Triton Central
Site: Mendenhall Field in Fairland.
Kickoff: 7 p.m.
TC student theme: Camouflage.
2024 records: Speedway 4-4, 3-3 ICC; Triton Central 6-2, 5-1 ICC.
Coaches: Shane Clampitt, 22-20 in fourth year at Speedway; Tim Able, 107-39 in 12th year at TC, 232-137 in 31st year overall.
Series record: Triton Central lead the series 12-3. The Sparkplugs last win over the Tigers came in 2021, 24-21.
Last meeting: Triton Central defeated Speedway, 40-7, on Oct. 13, 2023.
Sagarin rating: Speedway 44.56 (180th overall, 39th in Class 3A); Triton Central 58.54 (120th overall, 11th in Class 2A). Triton Central is a 16-point favorite.
Sectional 38: Centerville (7-1), Northeastern (8-0), Lapel (5-3), Triton Central (6-2), Shenandoah (4-4), Union County (0-8), Eastern Hancock (5-3) and Winchester (3-5).
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