The two programs, both 9-1, are led by coaches with a combined 524 career wins. They met last season in Brownstown at the same point in the postseason – the sectional semifinal round in which Triton Central prevailed 24-19.
“It was a war. They were really good,” said Triton Central head coach Tim Able, who is sitting on 99 career wins with the Tigers in his 11th season. “They were really physical. We were playing at their place. The tradition is there. The coach is amazing. And they didn’t graduate much but their quarterback.”
Carson Darlage rushed for nearly 1,000 yards last season as Brownstown Central’s senior quarterback. Sophomore Micah Sheffer has control of head coach Reed May’s offense now. The six-foot, three-inch quarterback has completed 38 of 70 pass attempts this season for 620 yards and eight touchdowns and is a valuable blocker in the Braves’ vaunted misdirection running game.
“He is a good athlete,” said Able. “He is not as physical (as Darlage) but he throws pretty well for a sophomore. And he is a pretty good blocker too.”
Senior Lane Zike is the leading rusher at 630 yards but nine different Braves have at least 100 yards rushing this season. Sophomore Preston Garrison (400 yards), senior Isiaah Engle (391 yards) and junior Greg Hutcheson (294 yards) also are featured.
“You don’t know where the ball is going. You have to play your position,” said Able (photo). “It is so deceiving. They are really good with their fakes.
“It helps that we played them last year. We’ve coached against them. They run this offense in their youth football league and they are really good at it.”
And effective.
Brownstown Central is averaging 43 points per game this season – and has scored at least 40 points eight times. The only loss came at Seymour, 41-20, on Sept. 22.
“Seymour was able to hang on to the ball and they threw it well,” said Able. “They are similar to what we are.”
Triton Central relies heavily on senior quarterback Jace Stuckey (photo), who has thrown for 2,342 yards this season and 27 touchdowns while running for another 701 yards and eight TDs.
Senior running back Ray Crawford, who entered the season with 3,710 career rushing yards has just 59 carries for 296 yards and three touchdowns this season. He has battled an injury that has limited his time on the field but appears to be nearly 100% healthy as Friday’s game approaches.
Crawford (photo) ran for a team-leading 78 yards and two touchdowns in Triton Central’s sectional-opening win last Friday at Clarksville. Against Brownstown Central in the 2022 game, he overpowered the Braves for 149 yards and a touchdown.
“They are very good on the line of scrimmage. It’s their biggest strength,” said Able of the Braves’ defense. “We’ve got to get the ball out in space. We have the edge that way with our speed. And with Ray back, we have a lot more power now.”
Crawford’s absence on the offensive side of the ball this season has allowed senior Brayden Wilkins (photo) to showcase his speed and strength. He is averaging 11.3 yards per carry and has a team-leading 50 receptions for 1,007 yards and nine touchdowns.
Senior Mason Compton (photo), 20 receptions, 454 yards, six TDs, also is a favorite target of Stuckey, who will play collegiately at Eastern Michigan University.
“Offensively, we are close (to being at full strength),” said Able. “We have got to have a good week of practice. That is always an important factor in this.”
With its 56-27 win over 2A No. 10 Indianapolis Scecina last Friday, May secured his 300th career win at Brownstown Central (photo). He has won 83% (300-563) of his games in his 31-year coaching career with the Braves. The program has won 13 sectional and three regional titles during his tenure. The last sectional title came in 2018.
Tim Able, 224-134 in his 30th season, has won nine sectional titles, five with Triton Central, including four straight entering the 2023 season. He led Triton Central to a regional championship in 2019 and East Noble to the 2000 state championship.
If Triton Central wins Friday, it already knows it will be on the road for the Sectional 39 championship game at either Switzerland County or Eastern (Pekin) on Nov. 3.
QUICK FACTS:
Class 2A, No. 3 Brownstown Central at Class 2A, No. 2 Triton Central
Game time: 7 p.m. at Mendenhall Field at Triton Central High School.
Broadcast: GIANT fm will air a pregame show with Johnny McCrory and Mark Drake live from Mendenhall Field at 6 p.m. with the game to follow on 96.5 fm, 106.3 fm or the GIANT fm app.
Tickets: No Triton Central sports passes will be allowed. Cash at gate, $7 per adult, or purchase tickets online at https://public.eventlink.com/tickets?t=56901&p=87358
TC student theme: Camo.
2023 record: Brownstown Central 9-1; Triton Central 9-1. Both teams were ranked No. 1 in the IFCA poll at one point this season. Triton Central is currently No. 1 in the Associated Press Class 2A poll.
Head coaches: Reed May, 300-63 in 31st year at Brownstown Central; Tim Able, 99-36 in 11th year at Triton Central, 224-134 in 30th year overall.
Sagarin ratings: Brownstown Central 66.23, No. 3 in Class 2A; Triton Central 71.84, No. 2 in Class 2A. Triton Central is an 8-point favorite
Last meeting: Triton Central defeated Brownstown Central, 24-19, in the sectional semifinal round of the 2022 season. The win was the Tigers’ first in program history over the Braves (6-1).
Class 2A, Sectional 39: Switzerland County (6-4) 7.08, No. 51 in Class 2A at Eastern (Pekin) (4-6) 24.54, No. 44 in Class 2A. Eastern is a 19-point favorite.
Get the most recent Shelby County Post headlines delivered to your email. Go to shelbycountypost.com and click on the free daily email signup link at the top of the page.
