Class 2A, No. 4 Triton Central (3-1) will play its final non-conference game of the season at Indian Creek (2-2). Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.
Both schools were members of the MHC in 1967 and 1968 before Triton Central changed conferences. Indian Creek remained in the MHC through 2016.
Over the last 25 years, the Tigers and Braves have played every year except 2015. Triton Central has won 13 of those 24 meetings and is 6-1 against the Braves under head coach Tim Able.
Cascade is leaving the Indiana Crossroads Conference at the end of the 2023-2024 school year and Covenant Christian will fill that spot and take Indian Creek’s slot on Triton Central’s 2024 schedule. The Tigers will play its two non-conference games at the start of the 2024 season against Batesville and Hamilton Heights.
Triton Central’s 55-28 win over Monrovia Friday was a strong bounce back performance after its week three loss at Class A, No. 1 Indianapolis Lutheran.
“We played better offensively,” said Able (photo). “We wore them down, got some big plays and hurt their spirits once we got that big lead.”
Monrovia scored back-to-back touchdowns to take an early 14-7 advantage at Mendenhall Field but the Tigers didn’t flinch, made the proper adjustments, then overwhelmed the Bulldogs (3-1).
“We didn’t contain (Brayton Belcher) and he got the edge and he’s fast,” said Able. “It was the only play (a 71-yard scoring run) he made all night. Our kids adjusted and responded well. All three phases (offense, defense and special teams) played really well.”
Friday’s winding road trip to Trafalgar serves as a postseason preview. The Tigers must maintain a business-like approach against an opponent that runs a different offense compared to its last two opponents.
“Coach (Casey) Gillin has an awesome offensive mind,” said Able. “He understands how to get people open.”
Senior quarterback Jalen Sauer directs the offense this season after the graduation of Arj Lothe, who threw for 2,959 yards and 28 touchdowns last season. Through his first three games this season, Sauer has completed 62% of his pass attempts with eight touchdowns. He also averaged 10.5 yards per rush in that span.
“He is a run-and-pass guy. He’s a big kid and a good athlete,” said Able. “You have to get him down quick. He is a fullback in quarterback’s clothes. He scares me the most in this game running. We have to keep him in the pocket.”
With his 325-yard, 5-touchdown performance against Monrovia, Triton Central senior quarterback Jace Stuckey (photo) surpassed Luke Stephenson to become the new career passing yards leader with 5,370 yards. He is averaging 305 yards passing per game this season. That pace will push him past 7,000 yards for his career.
The Eastern Michigan recruit already holds Triton Central’s single-game passing yards record (417 yards) and season passing yards record (2,750) – both set in 2022.
QUICK FACTS:
Class 2A, No. 4 Triton Central at Indian Creek
Game time: 7 p.m. at Braves Field at Indian Creek High school, 803 W. Indian Creek Drive.
TC student theme: Jersey.
2023 record: Triton Central 3-1; Indian Creek 2-2.
Head coaches: Tim Able, 93-36 in 11th year at Triton Central; 218-134 in 30th year overall; Casey Gillin, 9-6 in 2nd year at Indian Creek.
Sagarin ratings: Triton Central 73.49, No. 1 in Class 2A; Indian Creek 53.91, No. 29 in Class 3A. Triton Central is an 18-point favorite.
Series: Friday night's meeting will be the eighth consecutive in the current series featuring two former Mid-Hoosier Conference rivals. Indian Creek was in the MHC from 1867, at the school's creation, to 2016. The Braves are now part of the Western Indiana Conference. Triton Central was in the MHC from 1964 to 1968 before departing for the Big Blue River Conference. Triton Central returned to the MHC from the Rangeline Conference in 1996 and stayed through 2012 when it joined the Indiana Crossroads Conference.
Last year: Triton Central overwhelmed the Braves, 49-14. Here is the link to the Shelby County Post game story: https://shelbycountypost.com/sports/653189
Around the ICC Friday: Cascade (3-1, 1-1 ICC) at Class A, No. 1 Indianapolis Lutheran (4-0, 3-0); Class 2A, No. 1 Indianapolis Scecina (4-0) at Heritage Christian (3-1); Shortridge (2-2) at Indianapolis Ritter (2-2); Southport (0-4) at Beech Grove (1-3); and Speedway (1-3, 0-3) at Monrovia (3-1, 1-1).
Class 2A, Sectional 39 records: Class 2A, No. 2 Brownstown Central, 4-0; Switzerland County, 3-1; Class 2A, No. 4 Triton Central, 3-1; Class 2A, No. 1 Indianapolis Scecina, 4-0; Brown County, 1-3; Christel House Manual, 1-3; Clarksville, 0-4; Eastern (Pekin), 1-3.
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