Hawks defeat Western, 56-21

Triton took its second straight All American Conference varsity football victory over a county opponent with a 56-21 win at Western Harnett on Tuesday night.

The Hawks improved to 3-6 overall and 3-3 in league play going into a home game with Harnett Central (2-6, 2-4) on Friday at 7 p.m.

“Big game Friday night,” said Triton coach Ben Penny. “We need to finish strong, win the county championship, and hope to get some help with the postseason.”

Triton made a stop on downs on Western’s first possession and took a 7-0 lead with 6:05 left in the first quarter on a 21-yard keeper by sophomore quarterback Jalen Evans that was followed by a conversion kick from Carter Daughtry.

An interception by James Shaw led to Triton’s second touchdown on a 4-yard run by Camauri McDougald with 1:15 left in the first quarter.

J.J. Cowan scored from midfield as Triton extended its lead to 21-0 with 8:20 left in the half.

Eli Holmes had a pick six and Brandon Watts had a rushing TD to push the margin to 34-0 with 4:29 to go in the half.

The Eagles (2-7, 1-5) got on the board with 24 seconds left in the half on a pass from Ian Bristow to Bryce Browning.

Evans passed to Shaw for a score that put Triton up, 40-7, with 8:22 left in the third. A touchdown run by Elijah Bass got Western within 40-14.

A TD run by Watts and a tackle in the end zone for a safety by Nate McKoy pushed the margin to 49-14.

Holmes carried for Triton’s concluding touchdown with 23 seconds left in the third.

Bristow kept for an Eagles TD with 3:06 remaining.

I was proud of the guys for coming out and taking care business,” Penny said. “We didn’t want to underestimate them. (Western) Coach (Zach) Tenuta has them playing hard. Proud of our guys and glad we had the chance to rest some guys at the end and get some folks in.”