The records are misleading.
Triton Central is 3-2 with losses to a pair of state-ranked opponents. Indianapolis Cardinal Ritter is 0-5 for the first time since 1996 with two of its losses to top-ranked teams in the state.
“They are the best 0-5 team in the state of Indiana,” said Triton Central coach Tim Able. “Ritter is talented, big and fast. Everyone we have played has unbelievable athleticism. They are young like us and have a new system with a new offensive coordinator and new defensive coordinator.”
Able may be overselling Ritter somewhat. Under first-year head coach Brad Purcell, the Raiders are allowing 40 points per game with a young and thin roster. Last Friday’s 32-19 loss to Constantine (Michigan) was the only time their opponent has not scored at least 40 points.
Look at the four losses, though. Ritter’s losses are to Class 2A, No. 11 Monrovia (41-12), Class A, No. 1 Lutheran (48-20), Class 3A, No. 1 Brebeuf (40-6) and Class 2A, No. 9 Speedway (41-21).
“They are athletic and long along the defensive line of scrimmage,” said Able. “We will need to use our speed, quickness and endurance.”
Triton Central is not yet back to full strength with sophomore running back Brayden Wilkins and freshman lineman Willie Baugh still sidelined with injuries. The good news is junior Brad Schultz is fully cleared for action on both sides of the ball.
The Tigers’ final four games of the regular season are all against Indiana Crossroads Conference opponents.
“We are ready to get on a little winning streak and get some momentum going,” said Able.
Playing well on Friday nights is not a given, even after a strong week of practice as the Tigers learned last week in a 27-9 win at Indian Creek.
“We had a great week of practice last week and then we didn’t execute certain things … do the simple things,” said Able.
The learning curve can be steep when you are relying on so many underclassmen.
“Mentally, we’ve responded quite well,” said Able. “They understand we weren’t pleased with the Indian Creek performance. And now it’s conference the rest of the way.”
Able entered his 29th season as a head coach with 197 career victories. Reaching milestone win No. 200 was inevitable this season but not something he wanted to discuss. Now that the feat is accomplished with several family members in attendance and several more friends and former players reaching out to congratulate him, Able is more open about his career that includes winning a state championship with East Noble in 2000.
“Coaches are control freaks and we would like (a milestone) to be our best game ever coached or the best game we’ve ever played … and it was not,” said Able with a laugh. “Our psyche was we knew we could whoop them, and we didn’t come ready early like we should have.”
Able has been very public through social media what it means to have his father, Norman Able, in attendance at games this season while battling a tumor. At 92, “Stormin” Norman loves to watch TC football and be a part of the program.
“It meant a lot to my family,” said Able. “And my dad got to be there. Mom was there in spirit.”
Able’s mother passed away in 2013 while his father has continued ministry work that has taken him to Kentucky and Ohio as well as several stops in Indiana.
“He has been that rock,” said Able. “He didn’t get to play athletics when he was young. He played a little basketball when he was in college.
“He has always been the transportation and the support for us in all those things.”
Norman Able addressed the Tigers after Friday’s win (photo) while wearing a T-shirt that said, “My son just won #200.” He has only missed a small handful of games over his son’s three-decade coaching career. And his health is improving, so there are many more games ahead.
“It’s a milestone. Maybe I am a little crazy but it would be nice to get 250 before all is said and done,” said Able of his next coaching milestone.
The ICC schedule Friday includes Beech Grove (2-3, 1-3 ICC) at Monrovia (4-1, 3-0 ICC) and Scecina (3-2, 2-1 ICC) at Lutheran (5-0, 4-0 ICC). In non-conference games, Cascade (1-4) travels to North Putnam (1-3) and Edinburgh (4-1) is at Speedway (4-1).
