MAX Game of the Week: #7 Triton too physical for #8 LaVille in 27-6 win
BOURBON, Ind. — After Triton coach Zach Whittaker’s Trojans manhandled visiting LaVille, the second-year head coach admitted he didn’t know if his team could play a more complete game.
No. 7 Triton took it to the eighth-ranked Lancers, controlling both lines of scrimmage, making key special teams plays and really opening some eyes on the defensive side of the ball en route to a 27-6 victory Friday night.
“That’s about as good as we can play in an opener,” Whittaker said. “I’m really proud of our team. We really earned it.”
Leading 7-6 at halftime, Triton took control of the game thanks to a 46-yard touchdown bomb and blocked punt which was returned for a score. Those two scores happened in a span of 5:46 of the third quarter to increased the lead to 21-6.
First-year starting Triton quarterback Ben McFarland hooked up for the aforementioned TD strike to Trojan star wideout Dante Workman on the second play from scrimmage in the second half.
Workman, an all-conference player a year ago, got behind LaVille freshman defensive back David Mitchell.
It was Triton’s first and only pass attempt of the game.
“At half-time we talked about giving Donte a chance,” Whittaker explained. “I told McFarland, ‘you always say you want to be a gunslinger, well we are going to give you that chance.’
“I had a lot of confidence in that play.”
That play was set up by a 38-yard kickoff return by Workman to open the second half.
In the practices leading up to the game, the Trojan coaching staff told their players that execution and controlling the line of scrimmage was the key to victory.
“I told the team, if we do this right, we won’t have to throw the ball,” Whittaker said.
On Laville’s first possession of the second half, Triton’s D forced a three-and-out and came up with the game’s next and perhaps biggest play when Cole Stafford’s punt was blocked by senior Esai Lemur. The block was picked out of midair by Jayden Overmyer, who raced 37 yards untouched for yet another touchdown.
“All off-season we preached special teams and tonight those units really paid off,” Whittaker said.
After the PAT, Triton’s lead was 15 with 9:14 to play in the third quarter.
Triton’s final touchdown came when Overmyer bursted between the tackles and raced 52 yards for a score with just under eight minutes to play in the game.
Overmyer was really good. He ran 19 times for 136 yards and two scores.
His backfield mate Vinny Prater did damage, too, rushing for 80 yards on 16 carries.
“It was a two-headed monster,” Whittaker said of his Overmyer-Prater backfield combo.
Triton’s offense line was expected to be a strength this season and if Game One is any indication, it definitely is going to be.
The Trojan front controlled the line of scrimmage, helping them run for 211 yards on 42 carries.
Meanwhile, Triton’s defense, which returned seven starters this year, was really good, too.
They sacked senior quarterback Collin Czarnecki three times and had nine tackles for loss.
In addition, they held the Lancer passing attack to 118 yards on just 8-of-24 passing.
Laville all-state running back Cody Allen had 107 yards rushing on 21 carries, but 40 of those yards came on a second-quarter sprint.
Allen was held to just 22 yards on 11 carries in the second half.
Triton scored the game’s first points in the second quarter when Overmyer scampered 11 yards into the end zone with 5:47 to go in the half.
Overmyer’s run capped an impressive 15-play, 90-yard drive which took 8:34 off the clock.
Following a Triton fumble with just over 90 seconds left in the first half, LaVille found the end zone when Czarnecki connected with senior Xzavian LaFave for a 24-yard score. LaFave made a nice catch falling backwards into the end zone adjusting to the slightly under thrown ball.
The PAT was wide right so the Lancers trailed 7-6 at halftime.
On LaVille’s prior possession to the touchdown, Czarnecki missed a 39-yard field goal wide right earlier in the second quarter.
Next up for LaVille (0-1) will be a home game next Friday against Class 1A No. 2 North Judson, a 42-21 winner over Knox, the second-ranked team in Class 3A.
Triton (1-0) will travel to 0-1 Bremen Friday. The Lions fell to East Noble, 42-6, on the road.
MAX Triton Player of the Game: Jayden Overmyer 19 rushes for 136 yds & 2 TDs
MAX LaVille Player of the Game: Cody Allen 21 rushes for 107 yds
MAX Play of the Game: Overmyer’s 37-yd return of blocked punt for TD
LaVille 0 6 0 0 -6
Triton 0 7 14 6 -27
