Eligah Holmes (2) follows the blocking of C.J. Herring.
(Dunn Area Sports Photo/John Lucas)
Triton’s varsity football team wrapped up the regular season by winning a 48-0 rout at All American 3-A/4-A Conference and Harnett County rival Harnett Central in the Hiester Bowl on the Trojans’ Senior Night on Friday.
“We’ve been through a lot since Pine Forest (Oct. 14),” said Triton coach Ben Penny. “Some things going on at the school and in the community and it hit us pretty hard. It’s been a couple of weeks of going through some trying times, but we came back together tonight, took care of business and did what we had to do. I’m really proud of our guys.”
Senior Eligah Holmes ran for 223 yards and three touchdowns on 15 carries and had a three-yard reception to lead the Hawks (5-5, 4-3 AAC).
“So proud of him,” Penny said. “If there was one guy that really deserved it, it was him. He’s worked hard at practice. He’s become a vocal leader for us lately. I can’t say enough about Eli turning it on here at the end of the year and kind of putting the team on his shoulders when we needed him. And hopefully, we can play a couple more weeks and let him continue to grow and shine and do even more for the football team.”
Camauri McDougald ran for 98 yards and a touchdown on 11 carries. A.J. Dewar ran for 63 yards on 13 carries. J.J. Cowan ran for 45 yards and a touchdown on eight carries. Jalen Evans completed both of his pass attempts for 22 yards, ran for 11 yards and a touchdown on two carries and had an interception on defense. James Shaw had a 19-yard reception. Malichi Harris-Daye ran for a touchdown. Carter Daughtry was 6-for-7 kicking extra points.
“Everybody had a job to do,” Penny said. “We were blocking for each other. It was fun to watch.”
Preston Gainey ran for 38 yards on 11 carries to lead the Trojans (2-8, 2-5).
Quan Dixon completed 5-of-20 passes for 24 yards, with one interception. Joseph Gardner had an 18-yard reception. Jaequan Plummer had two receptions for eight yards. Delshaun Brown had an eight-yard carry.
Prior to the game, Harnett Central honored 10 seniors: Tay’shawn Moore, Amare Boone, Aaron Garris, Isaiah Pearson, Rodney Harris, Christopher Hampton, Jahlil Surles, Jacobie Denning, Cooper Gaskin and Drew Richardson.
Triton scored seven points in the first quarter, 27 in the second and seven apiece in the third and fourth.
Penny believes that the win should have secured a spot in the 3-A state playoffs and Triton will still have more football to play.
“We’ve had to heal up here recently and we’re still not quite where we want to be,” Penny said. “J.J. looked as good as he looked before the big injury against Durham Jordan at the beginning of the year. Hopefully, he’s back 100 percent. Nate (McKoy)’s still dealing with a few things and Ross (Stevens) is too. So, day by day just continue to heal up and focus up.
“It’s huge for the school and huge for the community and we don’t want to stop. Whoever we play, we’re going to be ready to roll.”
Kenny McKoy (9), Myke McNeill (70) and Nate McKoy (54) make a stop for loss.
(Dunn Area Sports Photo/John Lucas)
Preston Gainey (24) runs the ball for the host Trojans on Friday night.
(Dunn Area Sports Photo/John Lucas)
Carter Daughtry kicks off for visiting Triton in a 48-0 win.
(Dunn Area Sports Photo/John Lucas)
Jalen Evans intercepts for Triton in the Heister Bowl at Harnett Central.
(Dunn Area Sports Photo/John Lucas)
Camauri McDougald carries for Triton on a 32-yard touchdown run.
(Dunn Area Sports Photo/John Lucas)
Quan Dixon goes to the air for Harnett Central on Friday night.
(Dunn Area Sports Photo/John Lucas)
Cion Kelly (11) makes a tackle for the Trojans.
(Dunn Area Sports Photo/John Lucas)
Triton coach Ben Penny carries the Heister Bowl belt to the Hawks.
(Dunn Area Sports Photo/John Lucas)
