BOURBON - Following a 2-0 start to the 2006 season, the Triton Trojans football team was riding high. That feeling quickly turned following eight straight losses, resulting in a 2-8 season, but coach Rodney Younis did notice positives.
"We are much improved, and this year, we want to take it to the next level," the sixth-year Triton coach said. "We want to work to have the opportunity for a sectional championship."Gone from last year's team are Lee Bragg, Trent Furnivall, Blake Espich and Nathan Hooley. Younis calls Bragg, a three-year starter at center, "the nucleus of the offensive line," but he does return a number of experienced players.
"We have a good, solid senior class with experience, and we also have a good mix of juniors with experience," Younis said. "We also have a great sophomore class with five or six guys that will be very good. We have depth for the first time. We also have a good number of kids that could start, which has created good competition in practice."
Among the top returnees this season are Troy McIntyre, Zac Moriarity, Chad Ulmer, Andrew Hochstetler, Jeremy Dawson and Colt Condon. The returnees may be back, but the offensive scheme will be a little different.
"We're going back to the Wing-T offense," Younis said. "We're going back to ball-control offense."
The reason for the move back to the Wing-T? Speed.
Ulmer will play fullback in the offense, looking to open holes for running backs Miles Reichard and Adam Creighbaum, with McIntyre being more than capable of using his athletic ability to get into the open field while playing quarterback.
"All four have great speed," Younis said of his potenital backfield. "With four weapons, it's perfect for the Wing-T offense. And Troy can also throw the ball very well."
When McIntyre does throw the ball, it will most likely be going to wide receivers Davis and Hochstetler, or his tight end Moriarty.
"Reggie has good speed, and at 6-2, Andrew gives us a good sized target," Younis said. "And Zac Moriarty has the best hands on the team."
While the offense tries to keep the defense off the field, when it does get into the game, Younis knows what to do.
"Both of our inside linebackers return," he said. "Clint Woodward led the team in tackles last season with over 140, and Chad Ulmer also returns. So they'll be the leaders of the defense. We'll use the 4-4 as a base defense, but will also use some 3-4 to utilize our speed."
Following Triton's wins over Caston and Northfield a year ago, they opened their Northern State Conference schedule with a 21-12 loss to a much-improved Culver team. A week later, the Trojans held a large lead over the Bremen Lions, a team Triton hasn't beaten since the 1970s, but second-half turnovers and mental mistakes led to a 41-24 loss, putting the Trojans into a tailspin the rest of the way.
This season, Younis is well aware that New Prairie and Jimtown will be head-and-shoulders above the rest of the conference, while the others battle each other.
"New Prairie and Jimtown are the top teams. They have their programs set, but John Glenn can't be counted out," Younis said. "(Glenn) always has a good, solid team. Knox will also be tough, and I'm anxious to see how they'll be with a new coach."
With LaVille, Bremen and Culver all improving, Younis is looking forward to some tight games in the NSC, with a few surprises forthcoming for fans.
"Like any other year, the NSC will be strong," he said. "But for the first time in a while, you're gonna see some surprises. You're gonna see some teams knock off others that have not before."
