New-Look Trojans Shutout 47-0
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
BOURBON -ÊFor the first time in a long time there was a feeling of excitement surrounding Triton football. Second-year head coach Rodney Younis brought youthful enthusiasm and football fever to a baseball and basketball school.
New uniforms greeted Trojan fans to a new season of Triton football as well, with helmets the color of Notre Dame and style of Michigan.
The result was a 47-0 drubbing at the hands of senior-laden Caston.
Numbers for the Triton program have grown but the offensive and defensive lines haven't. An injured offensive guard Zac Chittum didn't help matters. That made an already thin offensive line thinner.
"We showed our lack of experience tonight," said Younis. "They're going to have to learn quickly and gain game-time experience. Chittum has been out for most of two-a-days so it was tough on our line."
Not only is the Triton offensive line thin in terms of depth but in terms of weight as well. An older Caston squad used its size and game savvy to give senior quarterback Todd Blackford a rude welcome to IHSAA football.
The two-sport starter decided to make it three this year and his lack of game knowledge showed. Blackford finished the game 4-for-15 passing for 105 yards with two interceptions and no touchdowns.
However, the Trojans passing game did show some promise as Blackford developed a quick affinity for wide receiver Kyle Bell. Bell was the recipient of all four of Blackford's passes, including a 38-yard reception nestled between two defensive backs.
Blackford also was able to use his quickness and athleticism to avoid being pummeled more than he already was. Not only was he sacked several times but when he made it past the line of scrimmage he was the recipient of some vicious hits.
Besides having trouble with avoiding hits, Blackford seemed to struggle at times with reading defenses.
And the running game wasn't much help as a total of 30 carries amounted to 23 yards. Projected senior starter Aric Hooley did not play because he did not meet the minimum practice requirements. He is expected to play next week against Northfield.
Friday night, Caston put things out of reach early.
The Comets scored on four of their first five possessions. The first came when senior running back Mark Skinner rumbled in from 4 yards out with 7:20 left in the first quarter.
Caston was up 26-0 before Triton gained its first first down midway through the second quarter.
After junior Casey Gearheart ran one in from 15 yards out, Caston's Stacey Herrold had the play of the evening when he returned a Blackford punt 51 yards to pay dirt.
Senior Whitney Harness capped the scoring for the evening when he picked off Blackford and scampered in untouched from 25 yards out.
Triton (0-1) hosts Northfield Friday night at 7 pm.
For Younis, that Northfield squad is comparable to his own.
"They're a lot like us. We're both fighting for respect and trying to build a program."
Triton has beaten Northfield four of the last five years.
CASTON 47, TRITON 0
Caston 14 12 14 7 - 47
Triton 0 0 0 0 - 0
C T
First downs 9 7
Rushing yards 202 23
Passing yards 46 105
Comp.-Att.-Int. 3-8-0 4-15-2
Total offense 248 128
Penalties/yards 9-61 4-17
Fumbles-Lost 2-0 5-3
Punts-Avg 6-38.5 7-32.5
Scoring
First Quarter
C- Mark Skinner 4 run (Bryce Baldwin kick) 7-0 7:20
C- Matt Homburg 20 pass to Keegan Hoover (Baldwin kick) 14-0 6:21
Second Quarter
C- Homburg 10 run (kick failed) 20-0 7:53
C- Whitney Harness 4 run (kick failed) 26-0 5:36
Third Quarter
C- Chase Gearheart 15 run (Baldwin kick) 33-0 7:09
C- Stacey Herrold 51 punt return (Baldwin kick) 40-0 4:37
Fourth Quarter
C- Harness 25 Interception Return (Baldwin kick)
TRITON STATISTICS
Rushing -ÊBen Bell 5-2, Todd Blackford 11-(-13), Cory McClarnon 2-2, Bryon Overmeyer 9-17, Richard Davis 1-9, Kyle Clark 1-(-1), Cody Rosinski 1-7.
Passing -ÊBlackford 4-15-2 105 yards. 0 TD.
Receiving -ÊKyle Bell 4-105 yards 0 TD. [[In-content Ad]]
BOURBON -ÊFor the first time in a long time there was a feeling of excitement surrounding Triton football. Second-year head coach Rodney Younis brought youthful enthusiasm and football fever to a baseball and basketball school.
New uniforms greeted Trojan fans to a new season of Triton football as well, with helmets the color of Notre Dame and style of Michigan.
The result was a 47-0 drubbing at the hands of senior-laden Caston.
Numbers for the Triton program have grown but the offensive and defensive lines haven't. An injured offensive guard Zac Chittum didn't help matters. That made an already thin offensive line thinner.
"We showed our lack of experience tonight," said Younis. "They're going to have to learn quickly and gain game-time experience. Chittum has been out for most of two-a-days so it was tough on our line."
Not only is the Triton offensive line thin in terms of depth but in terms of weight as well. An older Caston squad used its size and game savvy to give senior quarterback Todd Blackford a rude welcome to IHSAA football.
The two-sport starter decided to make it three this year and his lack of game knowledge showed. Blackford finished the game 4-for-15 passing for 105 yards with two interceptions and no touchdowns.
However, the Trojans passing game did show some promise as Blackford developed a quick affinity for wide receiver Kyle Bell. Bell was the recipient of all four of Blackford's passes, including a 38-yard reception nestled between two defensive backs.
Blackford also was able to use his quickness and athleticism to avoid being pummeled more than he already was. Not only was he sacked several times but when he made it past the line of scrimmage he was the recipient of some vicious hits.
Besides having trouble with avoiding hits, Blackford seemed to struggle at times with reading defenses.
And the running game wasn't much help as a total of 30 carries amounted to 23 yards. Projected senior starter Aric Hooley did not play because he did not meet the minimum practice requirements. He is expected to play next week against Northfield.
Friday night, Caston put things out of reach early.
The Comets scored on four of their first five possessions. The first came when senior running back Mark Skinner rumbled in from 4 yards out with 7:20 left in the first quarter.
Caston was up 26-0 before Triton gained its first first down midway through the second quarter.
After junior Casey Gearheart ran one in from 15 yards out, Caston's Stacey Herrold had the play of the evening when he returned a Blackford punt 51 yards to pay dirt.
Senior Whitney Harness capped the scoring for the evening when he picked off Blackford and scampered in untouched from 25 yards out.
Triton (0-1) hosts Northfield Friday night at 7 pm.
For Younis, that Northfield squad is comparable to his own.
"They're a lot like us. We're both fighting for respect and trying to build a program."
Triton has beaten Northfield four of the last five years.
CASTON 47, TRITON 0
Caston 14 12 14 7 - 47
Triton 0 0 0 0 - 0
C T
First downs 9 7
Rushing yards 202 23
Passing yards 46 105
Comp.-Att.-Int. 3-8-0 4-15-2
Total offense 248 128
Penalties/yards 9-61 4-17
Fumbles-Lost 2-0 5-3
Punts-Avg 6-38.5 7-32.5
Scoring
First Quarter
C- Mark Skinner 4 run (Bryce Baldwin kick) 7-0 7:20
C- Matt Homburg 20 pass to Keegan Hoover (Baldwin kick) 14-0 6:21
Second Quarter
C- Homburg 10 run (kick failed) 20-0 7:53
C- Whitney Harness 4 run (kick failed) 26-0 5:36
Third Quarter
C- Chase Gearheart 15 run (Baldwin kick) 33-0 7:09
C- Stacey Herrold 51 punt return (Baldwin kick) 40-0 4:37
Fourth Quarter
C- Harness 25 Interception Return (Baldwin kick)
TRITON STATISTICS
Rushing -ÊBen Bell 5-2, Todd Blackford 11-(-13), Cory McClarnon 2-2, Bryon Overmeyer 9-17, Richard Davis 1-9, Kyle Clark 1-(-1), Cody Rosinski 1-7.
Passing -ÊBlackford 4-15-2 105 yards. 0 TD.
Receiving -ÊKyle Bell 4-105 yards 0 TD. [[In-content Ad]]