Fresh off its first shutout win of the season and all but locked out of the title chase in the Indiana Crossroads Conference, Triton Central head coach Tim Able is thinking ahead to the postseason – not looking ahead, though.
The Tigers (4-2, 2-2 ICC) play their final regular-season home game at Mendenhall Field Friday night against Scecina (3-3, 2-2 ICC). Able will not use starting quarterback Jace Stuckey for a second-straight week as well as running back Brayden Wilkins or lineman Willie Baugh. All three are recovering from injuries but are near ready to return.
“We would like to finish strong,” said Able. “We have a chance if we win out to maybe tie for second.”
Class A, No. 1 Lutheran (6-0, 5-0 ICC) is at 2A No. 11 Monrovia (5-1, 4-0 ICC) Friday. A win by the Saints would clinch at least a share of the ICC title. Lutheran hosts 2A No. 10 Speedway (5-1, 3-1) on Oct. 8.
After Scecina, Triton Central travels to Beech Grove (2-4, 1-4 ICC) and Speedway to close out the regular season.
Freshman Chase Chandler (6-0, 160) will get the start at quarterback for the second-straight week. He fought off illness early last week to get prepared for what was a 23-0 victory at Indian Creek.
“He did a lot of mental work to make up for his lack of practice,” said Abel.
Chandler provides the opposing defense with a different look than Stuckey (6-3, 175).
“He’s not as tall, but he is still 6-0, and he runs pretty well,” said Able. “He throws the short, intermediate routes really well. And he is a natural leader as a freshman.”
Chandler is the son of Triton Central High School principal Cary Chandler and has two older sisters that are Division I athletes – Bailey Chandler plays volleyball at Eastern Illinois University while Maya Chandler plays basketball at Loyola University in Chicago.
With a pair of 40-plus yard touchdowns runs at Indian Creek, sophomore running back Ray Crawford (5-9, 175) pushed his team-leading total to eight this season.
“If you get him that little crease … that little opening … he can make things happen,” said Able. “And he is also a threat as a wide receiver.”
Crawford has 645 yards rushing in five games this season and 14 catches for 222 yards.
Three more TC backs have rushed for more than 100 yards this season – senior Jaquan Blake (5-6, 165), Wilkins (6-0, 165), a sophomore, and junior Brad Schultz (5-9, 165).
Senior Devon Emberton (6-2, 185) leads the Tigers with 18 catches for 224 yards and three touchdowns. Sophomore Anthony Dunville (6-0, 165) has 14 catches for 179 yards and one touchdown.
“Any time you play a Tim Abel coached team you have to expect a lot of different offensive formations and a go get ‘em defense,” said Scecina head coach Ott Hurrle.
Scecina’s three losses are to state-ranked opponents – 2A No. 10 Speedway (17-14), 2A No. 6 Heritage Christian (20-14) and Class A No. 1 Lutheran (31-20).
“They have played some really good competition,” said Able. “We will have to play well … better than we have the last two weeks.”
Senior Dequan Stennis (5-8, 170) leads the Crusaders with 557 yards rushing and five touchdowns this season.
Senior quarterback Aidan Ray (5-10, 175) has completed just under 50% of his pass attempts for 647 yards and six touchdowns.
Mason Beriault (5-8, 150), a junior, and seniors Anden Glawatz (5-9, 190) and Luke Soultz (6-1, 180) have combined for 27 receptions (seven touchdowns).
The two head coaches have a combined 409 career wins over the last three-plus decades. Hurrle is 208-152 in 32 seasons while Able is 201-127 in 29 seasons.
“He is the dean of the conference and always has his kids ready to play,” said Able of Hurrle.
Friday’s other ICC games include Beech Grove at Ritter (0-6, 0-4 ICC) and Cascade (2-4, 0-4 ICC) at Speedway.
