Romello Cowan (33) runs the ball in Triton’s 48-21 win Friday night.
(Dunn Area Sports Photo/Paul Burgett)
Kyle Dunkins scored the go-ahead touchdown for Triton’s varsity football team on a 26-yard run as the Hawks pulled away from a tie at 14 at the half for a 48-21 Homecoming win over Western Harnett on Friday night.
The second half surge for Triton continued as Romello Cowan scored on a 3-yard run.
Travion Sanders went into the end zone on a 9-yard run for a 35-14 Hawks lead. Malik McNeill had Triton’s last TD of the third quarter.
The Hawks went up 48-14 on a 10-yard scoring run by Sanders with 9:31 to go.
Azariah Meadows had a touchdown catch for Western with 5:23 remaining.
After a scoreless first quarter, Western took a 7-0 lead on a on a 10-yard run by Kylim Moore after recovering a Hawks fumble. Cowan’s running fueled Triton’s first scoring drive, which was capped by a 1-yard keeper by J.P. Petoletti. A failed conversion attempt left Western with a 7-6 lead.
After another Triton turnover, the Eagles went up 14-6 on a 1-yard run by Moore with 3:37 left in the half.
A 50-yard reception by Sanders set up a 7-yard scoring run by Cowan. Sanders got the 2-point conversion to tie the score at 14 with 1:58 left in the half.
“It was a close ball game early on,” said Hawks coach Ben Penny. “Western came out ready to play and we turned the ball over twice inside their 20 that led to scores. We shot ourselves in the foot.
“We challenged our guys at halftime and were able to wear them down in the second half. We made some outstanding defensive plays. Tra (Sanders) and Mello (Cowan) took over the ball game. It was good to see those two back healthy and doing what they do.”
Triton improved to 3-6 overall and 1-2 in the Tri-County Six 3-A Conference going into a home game Friday night against Union Pines (6-3, 2-1), which won 24-23 over visiting Southern Lee (5-3, 2-1) on Friday night.
“We got a lot to play for next week,” Penny said. “We are right back in the playoff hunt. Hopefully, we can ride some momentum going into Senior Night.
“We had five different guys score tonight. That was good to see. Kyle Dunkins made some big plays. Finally having him healthy with some confidence is going to boost our offense.”
Western (2-7, 0-3) hosts Lee (9-0, 3-0) on Friday night.
Triton fans were into Homecoming as the Hawks met the Eagles.
(Dunn Area Sports Photo/Paul Burgett)
Triton quarterback J.P. Petoletti hands off in the Hawks’ first league win.
(Dunn Area Sports Photo/Paul Burgett)
Leslie Garcia (center) is Triton’s Homecoming queen. First runner-up was Yasmin Bautista (left) and second runner-up was Martiona Walker (right). (Dunn Area Sports Photo/Paul Burgett)
Carl Collins makes an interception for the Eagles.
(Dunn Area Sports Photo/Paul Burgett)
Travion Sanders is in the clear for the Hawks at Homecoming.
(Dunn Area Sports Photo/Paul Burgett)
Western Harnett quarterback Tristin Ung runs the ball.
(Dunn Area Sports Photo/Paul Burgett)
Amir Wynn (51 makes a stop for a loss for the Hawks.
(Dunn Area Sports Photo/Paul Burgett)
Tristin Ung passes under pressure from Nate McKoy (64).
(Dunn Area Sports Photo/Paul Burgett)
