BOURBON - Trying to build for the future, as first-year coach Rodney Younis has said so many times this year, Triton's football team certainly laid the beginning foundation last Friday.

Not known as a football power, Triton's 20-13 win at West Central last week was the Trojans' first sectional triumph since 1996, but may go a long way in getting future players to buy into and believe in Younis' system.

"I think that win will be extremely helpful," Younis said. "It will speak volumes about what we're trying to do here. The kids, the school is excited. This is gonna help us because we need to get more numbers out."

What would help Triton (3-7) even more would be a win over Whiting (8-2) in tonight's 7:30 p.m. 1A Sectional 33 semifinal in Bourbon.

"Whiting is established," Younis said. "They're reloading not rebuilding, that's our goal, we'd like to get there."

To pull off an upset of the Oilers, Triton's defense will have to contain sophomore running back Sixto Arredondo and senior quarterback Vinnie Donovan.

Through 10 games, Arredondo, who at 5-foot-6 and 160 pounds was described earlier in the week as Barry Sanders-like because of his shifty moves, has 1,121 rushing yards and 15 touchdowns on 210 carries. Arredondo replaced the graduated Jorge Ruiz, who had 1,110 yards during Whiting's 6-6 season a year ago that ended in a slim sectional final loss to Culver.

After throwing for just under 2,000 yards as a junior, 6-2, 200-pound Donovan has completed 121 of 228 passes this season for 1,727 yards with 16 touchdowns, though he has thrown 21 interceptions.

Tino Cuba leads the Whiting receiving corps with 39 catches for 541 yards and six scores. In all, six Oiler receivers have 200 yards or more.

"We can not give up the big play," Younis said. "Our game plan is to keep the ball out of their hands. Defensively, last week we got back to where we were, the kids were flying to the ball."

Not to be outdone was Triton's offense, which converted a crucial 4th-and-6 play with West Central leading 13-12.

"The biggest thing was when they took the 13-12 lead, we could have folded right then," Younis said. "With the game on the line, we converted a 4th-and-6. We know it's gonna be tough this week, but the kids are confident."

Part of that confidence comes from Triton's improving running game, which was led last week by Bryan Watkins' three touchdowns.

Watkins leads the Trojans ground game with 491 yards and eight touchdowns on 116 carries. Bryon Overmyer has 273 yards on 47 carries, while Bryan Moriarty has rushed 59 times for 257 yards and sophomore Ben Bell 60 for 236.

"Our biggest thing this week is we can't get hurt by turnovers," Younis said. "Right now our offensive line is playing as good as it has all year. Watkins and (Bryan) Moriarty have both stepped up running the ball. With sophomore Bryon Overmyer, we now have three backs that can move the ball. We just need to keep them (Whiting) off the field."

From his quarterback position, Trojan senior Daniel Kuhn has completed 38 of 113 passes for 495 yards. Junior Kyle Bell leads all Triton receivers with 20 catches for 254 yards, while leading the defense with four interceptions.

The winner of Triton/Whiting plays the winner of LaVille (7-3) and South Central (3-7) in next week's championship.

Class 1A

SECTIONAL 33

WHITING (8-2) AT TRITON (3-7)

7:30 p.m. Friday in Bourbon

Rushing - Triton: Bryan Watkins 116-491 (4.2), Bryon Overmyer 47-273 (5.8), Bryan Moriarty 59-257 (4.4), Ben Bell 60-236 (3.9); Whiting: Sixto Arredondo 210-1,121 (5.3)

Receiving - Triton: Kyle Bell 20-254 (12.7), Overmyer 6-80 (13.2), Aric Hooley 3-68 (22.7); Whiting: Tino Cuba 39-541

Passing - Triton: Daniel Kuhn 38-113, 495 yards, 2 TDs, 10 INTs; Whiting: Vinnie Donovan 121-228, 1,727 yards, 16 TDs, 21 INTs

Tackles - Triton: Nathan Ulmer 116, Moriarty 61, Overmyer 60, Brett Bradley 58, Kyle Bell 54 [[In-content Ad]]