With a full holiday weekend to reflect on a humbling 43-13 loss Friday at Class A, No. 1 Indianapolis Lutheran, Triton Central head coach Tim Able believes the loss that came just as the Tigers rose to the No. 1 ranking in Class 2A was less about his team and spoke volumes more about just how good the Saints program has become in recent years.
Lutheran, the two-time defending Class A state champion, has now won 33 consecutive games and will potentially face the new No. 1 team in Class 2A, Indianapolis Scecina, on Sept. 22. The Crusaders may be the last hope of keeping the Saints from putting together a third-straight unbeaten regular season.
“We are back to doing some basic things, getting our minds right, getting our bodies right,” said Able. “We won’t face anybody tougher than (Lutheran) all year.”
The mismatch was clear at the line of scrimmage Friday. Lutheran’s sheer size and strength along the offensive and defensive lines was the difference.
“I am going to get (our linemen) on a 7-meal diet plan to try and gain 25 pounds each to get them within 40 pounds of the guys they were going against,” said Able in his joking manner. “Our freshman center is 240 pounds and he was lining up across from 290 pounders. We just couldn’t match that. We couldn’t establish the run. We hoped to get the passing game going. We need more depth. We’ve got a lot of kids that are really good JV (junior varsity) players but that next level is a big jump.”
Able has been around football too long to keep looking back. The week three loss is over. Triton Central (2-0, 1-1 Indiana Crossroads Conference), ranked No. 4 in this week’s state coaches poll behind Scecina, Brownstown Central and LaVille, turns its attention to a run-heavy Monrovia squad fresh off a 27-26 overtime victory over then No. 5-ranked Linton-Stockton.
The game plan for Lutheran was to limit the rushing game and make the Saints’ offense one dimensional. Monrovia (3-0, 1-0 ICC) arrives in Fairland already one dimensional in its offensive philosophy. The Bulldogs put the ball in the air just twice in the win over Linton-Stockton and had two running backs combine for 302 yards and four touchdowns.
“The offense is heavy run. You have to stack the box,” said Able, who has won six of 10 meetings with Monrovia during his tenure at Triton Central. “The fullback is good. He is in his third year as the feature back. They have a quick, athletic tailback. And they look to run to the tight end side.
“Our linemen have to control the line of scrimmage. They have to play as low as ever because (Monrovia) likes to cut (block).”
Seniors Brayton Belcher (23 rushes, 162 yards, 3 TDs against Linton-Stockton) and Dominic Kindle (18 rushes, 140 yards, 1 TD) have combined for 671 yards rushing and nine TDs this season to help Monrovia start 3-0 for the first time since the 2018 season.
Triton Central’s advantage this week is its ability to move the ball downfield through the air, something Monrovia has not faced yet this season.
“It’s a little different when you haven’t had to defend the pass,” said Able. “We’ve always been a thorn in their side. They haven’t played a throwing team.”
And Jace Stuckey can throw the ball. The senior is closing in on 5,000 career passing yards and the TC record of 5,116 yards set by Luke Stephenson (2008-2011).
Triton Central needs a win Friday but, more importantly for the bigger picture, needs to find its identity again.
“I want to see renewed toughness,” said Able. “We need clean execution on special teams, offense and defense. We need better tackling. We have to play like what we played earlier. We haven’t played near what we are capable of. We need to live up to our potential.”
QUICK FACTS:
Monrovia at Class 2A, No. 4 Triton Central
Game time: 7 p.m. at Mendenhall Field at Triton Central High school.
Student theme: Hippie.
2023 record: Monrovia 3-0, 1-0 ICC; Triton Central 2-1, 1-1 ICC.
Head coaches: Andy Olson, 18-20 in 4th year at Monrovia; Tim Able, 92-36 in 11th year at Triton Central; 217-134 in 30th year overall.
Sagarin ratings: Monrovia 56.93, No. 25 in Class 3A; Triton Central 70.72, No. 1 in Class 2A. Triton Central is a 16-point favorite.
Last year: Triton Central defeated Monrovia, 41-10. The loss was part of Monrovia's seven-game losing streak that came ahead of a postseason run that included sectional and regional championships. Link to the Shelby County Post's game story can be found here: https://shelbycountypost.com/sports/651956
Series: The two programs had a postseason meeting in 2012, won by Triton Central (33-12). They have been regular-season opponents for 10 straight years, beginning in 2013, and the Tigers hold a 6-4 advantage.
Around the ICC Friday: Beech Grove (1-2, 1-2 ICC) at Class 2A, No. 1 Indianapolis Scecina (3-0, 1-0); Cloverdale (2-1) at Cascade (2-1); Class A, No. 1 Indianapolis Lutheran (3-0) at Lapel (1-2); Speedway (1-2, 0-2) at Indianapolis Ritter (1-2, 0-2).
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