Triton Central

TC FOOTBALL BEATS NORTHEASTERN, ADVANCES TO SECTIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP. Triton Central wasted no time seizing control Friday night in the IHSAA Sectional 38 semifinal, capitalizing on a string of Northeastern miscues to cruise to a 49-6 victory and earn a spot in next week’s sectional championship at Lapel. The Tigers forced eight turnovers on Northeastern’s first eight possessions. Triton Central scored touchdowns on its first seven offensive drives, building a 49-0 halftime lead. Junior quarterback Matthew Wilkins threw four touchdown passes and finished 10-for-12 for 160 yards. Three of those scores went to senior standout Braden Brown. Brown scored four total touchdowns — two receiving and two rushing — highlighted by a 92-yard burst in the second quarter. He finished with 139 rushing yards on 13 carries and added 51 receiving yards. The Tigers spread the ball around in the passing game as well. Conner McClure and Henry Kemper each hauled in touchdown receptions, with Kemper’s coming on a 35-yard strike. Nick Tormoehlen was perfect on PAT duties, knocking through all seven of his attempts. Defensively, Triton Central was relentless. The Tigers recorded six takeaways, including three interceptions, and consistently disrupted the Knights’ backfield. Linebacker Landen Ball led the charge with 15 total tackles and an interception, while multiple defenders contributed to stops behind the line and forced fumbles. Northeastern finished with 243 yards but struggled to finish drives as TC’s defense swarmed to the ball all night. Northeastern got on the board with with a fourth-quarter touchdown run as time expired, but the Tigers’ early onslaught ensured the outcome was never in doubt. With the win, Triton Central improves to 10-1 and moves one step closer to a sectional title. The Tigers will now travel to Lapel on Friday at 7 p.m. with the Sectional 38 championship on the line.