The Class 3A Trojans made Triton Central earn a 21-14 road victory in 2022 and now travel to Fairland for the first time in program history for a rematch that will mark the end of the two-game series.
“You have to take them one at a time,” said Triton Central head coach Tim Able of keeping his team from looking ahead to the Sept. 1 game at Class A, No. 1 Indianapolis Lutheran. “If you overlook a team you don’t want to look back and regret it.”
Class 2A, No. 2 Triton Central rolled over Cascade one last time Friday, 42-13, in the season opener for both teams. Cascade is leaving the Indiana Crossroads Conference after the 2023-2024 school year. The Tigers won all five meetings with the Cadets since 2019.
Quarterback Jace Stuckey (photo) completed 15-of-21 pass attempts for 406 yards and five touchdowns in his senior season debut. He surpassed Jordan Crouse’s career passing yards mark of 4,226 yards to move up to No. 2 all-time at Triton Central. Stuckey, now at 4,554 yards trails only Luke Stephenson (5,116) in the record book.
The Tigers built a 35-0 lead before Cascade reached the end zone in the third quarter on a Toby Savini 2-yard run.
“We shut them down,” said Able. “Once we put in the second unit defense then they scored.”
New Castle quarterback Tyson Lewis threw for 142 yards and two touchdowns and rushed for 126 yards and another score to lead the Trojans to a 26-21 season-opening win over Franklin County.
“Run and pass is always an option for him,” said Able. “We have to keep him in the pocket. We have to be aware he may scramble.”
Sophomore Tylin Thrine rushed for 39 yards and a touchdown and caught four passes for 35 yards. As a freshman, Thrine won the 126 pound state wrestling title for New Castle.
“They are trying to get their athletes the ball,” said Able.
Triton Central’s preseason opponent, Milan, and week one opposition Cascade operate run-heavy wing-T offenses. That won’t be the case with New Castle, which makes the matchup even more harrowing for Triton Central.
“We better be ready to match their intensity,” said Able (photo).
And not be thinking about a showdown with Lutheran, winners of 31 straight games and the last two state championship games in Class A. The Saints are at Indianapolis Ritter Friday. The Raiders have won just two of their last 19 games.
Lutheran defeated Triton Central, 54-41, in the 2022 contest at Mendenhall Field in Fairland.
QUICK FACTS:
New Castle at Class 2A, No. 2 Triton Central
Game time: 7 p.m. at Bud Mendenhall Field at Triton Central High School.
2023 record: New Castle 1-0; Triton Central 1-0.
Student theme: Hawaiian. Also, FTA football and cheer night with FTA players and cheerleaders in uniform admitted free as well as introduced on the field at halftime.
Sagarin ratings: New Castle 55.73, Triton Central 74.92. To predict off Sagarin ratings, compare ratings of the two teams and allow two additional points for the home team. Thus, Triton Central is a 21-point favorite Friday.
Head coaches: Kyle York, 26-39 in seventh year at New Castle; Tim Able, 91-35 in 11th year at Triton Central; 216-133 in 30th year overall.
2022 record: New Castle 3-8; Triton Central 10-3.
Last year: Triton Central defeated New Castle in a first meeting for the two programs, 21-14. Link to Shelby County Post game story at https://shelbycountypost.com/sports/649805
Series: Triton Central leads the series 1-0. New Castle will make its first appearance at Bud Mendenhall Field Friday.
Around the ICC Friday: Cascade (0-1, 0-1 ICC) at Beech Grove (0-1, 0-1); Class A, No. 1 Indianapolis Lutheran (1-0, 1-0) at Indianapolis Ritter (0-1, 0-1); Class 2A, No. 5 Indianapolis Scecina (1-0) at Speedway (1-0); Phalen Academy (1-0) at Monrovia (1-0, 1-0).
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