BOURBON - The Triton Trojans will have a big test against a big South Central Satellites football team Friday at 7 p.m.
When the Satellites (8-2) come to Bourbon for the second round of the Class 1A Sectional 33 sectional semifinal game against the Trojans (2-8), they'll have some size on their side, but Triton coach Rodney Younis is hoping his guys have their power."We feel like we have good strength on the offensive and defensive lines," Younis said. "We have good size, but not like their's. We've been seasoned in the (Northern State Conference) by some bigger sized teams. (Class 3A No. 5) Jimtown comes to mind, and they weren't only big. They were powerful and fast. I think having played them in the final week of the season served us well coming into the playoffs. The kids are not going to be intimidated."
To go along with 6-foot-5, 230-pound tight end Luke Kitchell, South Central also features a solid run game with Ethan Biggs, a 6-2 wide receiver in Matt Walker and a solid quarterback in Bryant Hoover.
"They are very balanced," Younis said.
Biggs has run for 1,233 yards and 15 touchdowns and Walker has hauled in 18 catches for 406 yards.
Despite Walker's catches and Hoover's 866 passing yards, South Central coach Jeff Karras knows the identity of his team is running the ball.
"We're a team that wants to run a ground game, playing real ball control," he said. "We'd like to have six- to seven-minute drives, but we also have big-play people that can help us score quickly."
With a team that averages 227 rushing yards and 88 passing yards per game, Younis knows his guys will need to fill gaps and not miss tackles.
"We're going to need to pursue and gang tackle," he said.
Culver and LaVille were common opponents for the two teams, with Triton losing 21-13 to Culver and 30-27 to LaVille. South Central went 1-1 against the teams, defeating LaVille 20-14 and losing to Culver 21-20.
Triton's 34 points in their win over West Central in the opening round of the sectional were the highest of the year. On the season, Triton averaged just 12 points per game, but quarterback Zak Shively did his best to increase that average against West Central, scoring five touchdowns.
Of his scores, two were rushing, two were passes to Jordan Koontz and Jake Tutorow and the last was a fumble recovery return.
The Satellites have had a little bit easier time scoring with the football, averaging 34 points per game this year. In their final three games, the Satellites defeated Calumet 49-14, River Forest 51-16 and Winamac 52-0 in the sectional opener.
"They like to play old-style football," Younis said about the Satellites. "They lineup and play smash-mouth football."
When South Central does attempt to play smash-mouth football, Younis will rely on leading tacklers Shelby Wright (93 tackles) and Cody Shively (90) to slow the attack. Along with those two, the Trojans also returned starting linebacker Max Ullery (48 tackles) last week.
Also back for the West Central game was Marc Lindsey, who had missed time with a concussion.
With such a small team, one player's injury can have a ripple effect on the entire team.
"For a small school, when a couple players go down, you don't really have the ability to just fill in the holes," Younis said. "You actually have to move one player from a position to another, which requires another player to move into the vacated spot."
The team has been battling injuries all season, but they know once the postseason starts, all teams have 0-0 records. Triton won sectional championships in 2007 and 2008 with 3-6 and 5-4 records, respectively, in the regular season.
"We feel blessed and know we have an opportunity," Younis said. "After last week, half of the teams are left playing in the state. We get to keep playing."
Karras is also aware of Triton's recent postseason success.
"They are a team whose schedule is catered to be successful in the playoffs," he said. "They play up against 2A and 3A schools, so that's scary."
And the Trojans also get to keep playing at home, which has its benefits.
"You get the convenience of not having to travel," Younis said. "The crowd also gets behind us and gives us a boost."
