Malihk Giles scores for Triton late in the first half.
(Dunn Area Sports Photo/Maggie Hobson)

After a short week of preparation, Triton’s varsity football team was on the short end of a 52-6 score in Tri-County Six 3-A Conference play on Thursday night as host Lee County remained unbeaten.

The game was moved up because of the forecast of rain on Friday.

“We came out ready for the challenge but made some costly mistakes early with special teams and field position,” said Hawks coach Ben Penny. “You can’t give a team as good as Lee County the ball deep in your own territory like we did.”

Lee improved to 9-0 overall and 4-0 in the league.

Triton (1-6, 1-3) got on the scoreboard just before halftime on a 20-yard touchdown run by Malihk Giles.

The Hawks were without kicker Paul Wells, who was playing in a 4-0 soccer loss at Southern Lee.

“We moved the ball well at times with Austin (Riewestahl) and Mello (Romello Cowan), but we couldn’t convert on third downs,” Penny said. “Tray (Travion Sanders) did well at quarterback.

“Our run defense played well once again, only giving up one big run to (A.J.) Boulware, who is a heck of a back.

“We had trouble in the secondary, biting on fakes. … Jalonte McNeill had a big night with a sack and several tackles for losses. Malihk Giles had a big pick and return. But we gave a good team the ball with short field position all night and they capitalized like good teams do.”

The Hawks host Harnett Central (1-6, 1-2) on Friday, Nov. 2. The Trojans will be dealing with a short week as their matchup with Union Pines has been moved to Monday (Oct. 29).

Romello Cowan carries for Triton on Thursday night at Lee.
(Dunn Area Sports Photo/Maggie Hobson)

The ball comes free under pressure from a Hawk defender.
(Dunn Area Sports Photo/Maggie Hobson)

The Hawks were generally stingy on run defense on Thursday night.
(Dunn Area Sports Photo/Maggie Hobson)

Malihk Giles (5) seeks to elude Yellow Jackets.
(Dunn Area Sports Photo/Maggie Hobson)

Travion Sanders operates at quarterback for the Hawks.
(Dunn Area Sports Photo/Maggie Hobson)