Ro’mello Cowan sets sail on a 40-yard run for Triton.
(Dunn Area Sports Photo/John Lucas)
Triton’s defense shined as the Hawks won a scrimmage 7-0 against St. Pauls as part of the Cumberland County Showcase at Gray’s Creek on Friday.
“That was the challenge since Tuesday night (when Triton hosted the Harnett County Jamboree) was we had to play better defense,” said Triton coach Ben Penny. “The team we faced tonight is pretty explosive and they have some playmakers and we stepped up to the challenge. I told the guys what they were going to face and we knew there were some things that we didn’t do well the other night. We weren’t physical, we weren’t tackling well, we weren’t taking on blocks. For the most part, we corrected those mistakes tonight and I was very pleased with that, defensively.”
Penny was particularly pleased with the defensive play of his linemen and linebackers stopping the run and getting consistent pressure on the Bulldogs’ quarterback.
“I’m very pleased with Big Nate (McKoy),” Penny said. “For Nate to be a 14-year-old freshman and play like he did tonight, we’re excited. We’ve got big plans for Nate at defensive tackle and he looked good tonight. Mike (Carvin) was getting double- and triple-teamed all night long and he maintained the A-gap and he was still getting to the quarterback. But the big thing was the middle linebackers were physical. We were not physical Tuesday night. And we were blowing up blocks to make plays tonight.”
The scrimmage was played in two 25-minute halves, with a period for rest and hydration in between the two halves. The first half saw each team run 10 plays before the offense and defense switched. The second half was a game simulation, using down and distance.
Neither team found the end zone in the first half of the scrimmage.
The second half was also scoreless until the Hawks broke through, with senior Ro’mello Cowan breaking a 40-yard run that led to senior Myjalik Giles scoring on a four-yard run one play later. Spencer Herring made the extra point.
“We’ve got some guys that can do that for us, break loose and make big plays,” Penny said. “We moved the ball early on OK. We made some huge mistakes. I think we were a little lethargic getting off the bus. We had a quick warm up and had to get on the field. We have to be able to adjust. But other than that, offense moved the ball.”
With time winding down on the ensuing possession, Triton ended the game on an interception by junior Malihk Giles.
Triton opens the season on Friday at home against Harnett County rival Overhills.
“Just keep it rolling,” Penny said. “We’ve got to keep it rolling and keep getting better every day. We do not have an easy nonconference schedule by any means. Overhills, we’re somewhat unfamiliar with because of not having played them last year because of the hurricane and they have a new system and new coach.
“We’re going at it a little blind, but we’re going to be excited. We’ve got to have some good days of practice this week to keep building momentum. We’re not satisfied right now, because we know we’ve got to continue to get better. But we’re excited for the challenge. The guys are up and they’re ready to go. I believe if I called practice tomorrow, they’d show up. We’re ready to go.”
Hawk quarterback J.P. Petoletti takes a snap from Kyrese Harris.
(Dunn Area Sports Photo/John Lucas)
T.J. Wilkins (15) and Amir Wynn stop the opposing quarterback.
(Dunn Area Sports Photo/John Lucas)
Multiple Hawk defenders get to the ball in the scrimmage shutout.
(Dunn Area Sports Photo/John Lucas)
Grayson Bradham (55) and Jalonte McNeill *54) provide a running lane.
(Dunn Area Sports Photo/John Lucas)
