Malachi Batts scores for the Hawks on a 16-yard run.
(Dunn Area Sports Photo/Paul Burgett)

Lee County overwhelmed visiting Triton, 52-7, on Monday night in a matchup of varsity football teams that were each 3-0 in the Tri-County Six 3-A Conference.

“We didn’t play with the effort needed to compete in a championship game,” said Hawks coach Ben Penny. “When you play in big games like this, you have to block out all of the ‘excuses’ or things you factor in to a quick turnaround. Great teams have to adjust. We didn’t do that.

“Hopefully this will be a learning tool for our younger players. I can’t say enough about some of our seniors. Amir (Wynn), J.P. (Petoletti), and a few others played their hearts out. We just didn’t bring the total team effort needed in a big game like this.”

Triton was within 15-7 after a 16-yard scoring run by Malachi Batts and a conversion kick by Carter Daughtry, but the Yellow Jackets added two touchdowns late in the first half to lead 28-7 at the break.

The Hawks (3-3, 3-1) were coming off a 60-27 win at Union Pines on Thursday night.

“Now we have another quick turnaround, for a winning season, for a possible playoff berth,” Penny said. “We have to heal up and be ready to battle against a very well-coached and much-improved Harnett Central team.

“We have to learn from tonight and make that adjustment quick.”

Triton hosts the Trojans on Friday night.

Dylan Smith runs for 36 yards on a 4th-and-2 for Triton.
(Dunn Area Sports Photo/Paul Burgett)

Javon ‘J.J.’ Cowan picks up nine yards for the Hawks on Monday night.
(Dunn Area Sports Photo/Paul Burgett)

J.P. Petoletti hands off to Eligah Holmes (22) at Lee County.
(Dunn Area Sports Photo/Paul Burgett)

Amir Wynn makes a tackle for a loss for visiting Triton.
(Dunn Area Sports Photo/Paul Burgett)

Lee quarterback Will Patterson had five touchdown passes.
(Dunn Area Sports Photo/Paul Burgett)