Tim Able believes there are several issues in play as Triton Central football went from 2-0 to 2-2 in an eight-day span.

The Tigers’ back-to-back losses came to Indianapolis Lutheran and Monrovia – two of the three toughest teams on their schedule.

Key injuries have gashed a roster that was not deep in the first place.

The offense’s biggest weapon was forced to miss a week due to a helmet-to-helmet penalty incurred in week two.

 And there has to be growth week to week for a program to succeed.

“We have to get better in all three phases of the game,” said Able, sitting on 199 career victories as a head coach. “We have to get better. The other teams have been better than us. We have too much to clean up.

“We haven’t gotten worse but we haven’t improved as much as the two teams we’ve played the last two weeks.”

Lutheran, ranked No. 1 in Class A, and fast-rising Monrovia are a combined 7-1. There are only two teams left on Triton Central’s schedule with winning records.

“The time is now,” said Able of righting the ship. “We have to play well and not worry about who we are playing.”

Class 2A, No. 15 Triton Central travels to Indian Creek Friday for its first football game this season played on natural grass. The Braves, a long time rival of the Tigers, are a miraculous 1-3 this season.

At Brown County last Friday, the Eagles led 12-7 with seconds left on the scoreboard clock. Rather than take a knee on fourth down and turn the ball back over to Indian Creek, Brown County went for the first down – and fumbled. James Kelly scooped up the ball and ran 90-plus yards for the game-winning score.

Sophomore Jackson Wise (5-10, 165) could start under center against Triton Central but Able is game planning for senior Aiden Neathery (6-2, 210) also to call plays. The duo are a combined 26-of-62 passing for 393 yards and two touchdowns.

Senior Brandon Murray (6-1, 181) is Indian Creek’s leading rusher with 245 yards and two TDs. Neathery also will work from the backfield.

“They have two really good athletes (Murray and Neathery) that are as good as we will face all year,” said Able.

Senior Sam Creek (6-1, 150) has eight receptions for a team-leading 157 yards this season.

In Indian Creek’s three losses to Batesville (TC’s scrimmage opponent), Greenwood and Owen Valley, the defense allowed 119 points.

Triton Central will have junior Brad Schultz back on the field Friday after missing the last two weeks with an ankle injury. Able expects Schultz to be limited to offensive plays only in his first week back.

“We want to bring him back slowly,” said Able.

The Tigers will still be without sophomore running back Brayden Wilkins and freshman lineman Willie Baugh due to injuries.

With that trio injured, senior Devon Emberton and sophomore Anthony Dunville have stepped up on both sides of the ball.

Freshman Chase Chandler also is getting more varsity responsibilities.

Triton Central played Lutheran without Schultz and leading rusher Ray Crawford, who are key players on both sides of the ball and special teams.

Crawford returned for Monrovia but the rushing game was shut down forcing sophomore quarterback Jace Stuckey to carry the load.

“We’ve played two weeks without our best receiver, one week without our best running back and our No. 2 running back has been out the last two weeks … it’s been hard to get that continuity (on offense),” said Able. “When you have everybody it makes things a lot smoother.”

After scoring 80 points in the first two weeks against Cascade and Greensburg, the offense has just three touchdowns in the last two weeks.

“We have a lot more flexibility now and feel like we are where we need to be in our packages,” said Abel. “We just have to clean them up.”

Triton Central and Indian Creek have played 23 times since the 1994 season. The Braves hold the advantage 12-11. Since the rivalry renewed in 2016, the Tigers have won four of five.

In Indiana Crossroads Conference games Friday, Cascade (1-3, 0-3 ICC) travels to top-ranked Lutheran(4-0, 3-0 ICC) and 2A No. 11 Speedway (4-0, 3-0) is at Monrovia (3-1, 2-0 ICC).

In non-conference games, 2A No. 12 Scecina (3-1, 2-1 ICC) is at 2A No. 6 Heritage Christian (4-0) and Washington (1-3) is at Beech Grove (1-3, 1-3 ICC).