
Travion Sanders scored Triton’s first touchdown.
(Dunn Area Sports Photo/Maggie Hobson)
Visiting Laney scored early and never trailed in a 23-15 varsity football win at Triton on Friday night.
After the Buccaneers (1-3) had taken a 7-0 lead on their first possession, the Hawks (0-3) drew within 7-6 on a 32-yard touchdown run by junior Travion Sanders.
Triton went for a two-point conversion because long snapper Grayson Bradham was in the field house getting more contacts.
The Hawks trailed 17-6 at the half.
“I’m proud of our guys for fighting back,” said Triton coach Ben Penny. “We made some great halftime adjustments. Battled ’til the end. But we have to see the importance of cleaning up our mistakes.”
Second-half scores for the Hawks came on a 3-yard keeper by Justin Leggett and a 33-yard field goal by Paul Wells.
“We continue to make mistakes that good football teams cannot afford to make,” Penny said. “We had a late hit on a 3rd-and-long incompletion, a block in the back on a big punt return. Our punter went to a knee on a bad snap deep in our own territory. We are making the type of mistakes that you absolutely can’t make. We have to fix it in order to be successful.”
Triton’s practice time was limited last week as Harnett County did not allow outdoor workouts on Tuesday and Wednesday.
“That’s not an excuse,” Penny said. “Our mistakes were mental.”
The Hawks host West Johnston on Friday, Sept. 14, at 7 p.m.. The Wildcats (1-3) are coming off a 67-14 loss at Southern Nash.

Travion Sanders makes a stop for the Hawks.
(Dunn Area Sports Photo/Maggie Hobson)

Grayson Bradham (55) moves in to make a tackle.
(Dunn Area Sports Photo/Maggie Hobson)

Triton’s Scott McNeill (2) brings down a Buccaneer.
(Dunn Area Sports Photo/Maggie Hobson)

Hawks quarterback Justin Leggett passes on Friday night.
(Dunn Area Sports Photo/Maggie Hobson)

Paul Wells initiates an onside kick for the Hawks.
(Dunn Area Sports Photo/Maggie Hobson)