Strong third quarter propels Lapel to Class 2A, Sectional 38 championship

FAIRLAND – Tim Able stated earlier in the week that one bad quarter in the postseason could lead to not earning another week of football.

Triton Central held a 10-7 lead at halftime Friday of the Class 2A, Sectional 38 championship game against Lapel – then had one bad quarter.

The Bulldogs scored twice in 70 seconds in the third quarter and Devin Craig tossed his third touchdown pass of the game just 63 seconds into the fourth quarter to lead Lapel to a 27-17 victory.

Craig, an adept scrambler, threw for 267 yards and three touchdowns to end Triton Central’s seven-game win streak and snap the program’s consecutive sectional championship streak at five.

“All phases were not good in the third quarter,” said Able, who has led Triton Central to 12 straight sectional championship game appearances. “They took advantage of all of our mistakes. We just made way too many. Obviously, we got off to a good start but the start of the second half, they had the juice and we didn’t. We made mistakes and they poured it on.”

Triton Central (9-3) was the more physical team in the first half, running 11 plays on its first offensive series before punting then putting together a 10-play, 70-yard scoring drive that ended with quarterback Sam Collier evading pressure and racing into the end zone from eight yards out.

The Tigers’ third possession also went 11 plays and ended with Nick Tormoehlen kicking a 29-yard field goal that made it 10-0.

Triton Central’s defense wanted to make Lapel one dimensional by shutting down the run game. That worked but Craig proved too elusive.

The junior quarterback completed five passes on a late second quarter scoring drive that ended with Jaxson Cripe hauling in a 12-yard scoring reception.

Instead of leading 10-0 and having the ball first in the third quarter, the advantage was down to just three points and the Bulldogs had life.

“Craig is really good. I think he is the best quarterback we’ve seen this year because of all the abilities he has … and they have nice receivers,” said Able.

Triton Central never regained its early momentum in the second half. The first series ended with a punt and Craig went to work on the Tigers’ defense.
“If we would have gone into (halftime) up 10-0, that would have been better for us,” said Able. “They made plays and we didn’t. That’s how you win ball games.”

Craig completed five more passes on the first drive of the third quarter and connected with Brice Burress for a 24-yard touchdown reception with 6:25 to go in the quarter.

On the third play of Triton Central’s ensuing offensive series, Collier was stripped from behind and the ball was recovered by a Lapel defender who raced 30 yards for a back-breaking touchdown that made it 20-10.

Lapel’s defense got better as the game went on, keeping Braden Brown from explosive runs and never letting the Tigers move the ball through the air.

Triton Central punted on its next series. Collier was intercepted early in the fourth quarter then put together a 96-yard scoring drive that ended with Chase Chandler hauling in a 28-yard pass in the end zone.

It would be the final pass and catch for those seniors. Collier closed out the game 13-of -29 passing for 138 yards and a rushing and passing touchdown.

Chandler and Zeke Robertson combined for 107 yards receiving on nine catches.

Brown finished with a game-high 141 yards rushing on 27 carries.

“They were able to control our running game. We did well in the first half but in the second half, they stifled us on the run game. And when you become one dimensional, it’s tough,” said Able.

Craig completed 21 of 37 passes to push him over 3,000 passing yards for the season.

Lapel (9-3) will host Indianapolis Lutheran (11-1) in the regional championship game on Nov. 15.

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