Camauri McDonald takes off on a 39-yard TD for a 21-14 Triton lead.
(Dunn Area Sports Photo/Paul Burgett)
Triton won its All American Conference varsity football opener on Friday night, 37-34, over visiting E.E. Smith.
The Hawks had been competitive in an 0-3 start despite not scrimmaging due to COVID protocols and some key in-season injuries.
“It was good to see the offense firing on all cylinders tonight,” said Triton coach Ben Penny. “The guys ran hard all night and the line did an outstanding job.
“We are still battling through some injuries. We have been in this situation two times before and ended up losing at the end. Tonight we battled through it and finally got the win. We’re 1-0 in conference and that’s all that matters right now.”
The Golden Bulls (0-3, 0-1 AAC) took an 8-0 lead less than three minutes into the game but the Hawks answered with a scoring carry by Brandon Watts and conversion kick by Carter Daughtry to trail 8-7 with 6:26 left in the first quarter.
Triton pulled even at 14 on a touchdown by J.J. Cowan late in the first quarter.
An interception by Cowan was followed by a scoring run from Camauri McDougald as the Hawks took a 21-14 lead with 8:04 left in the half. A field goal by Daughtry gave the hosts a 24-20 lead at the break.
E.E. Smith took a 26-24 lead through the air before Triton went ahead to stay on a touchdown run by Watts with 3:44 left in the third quarter.
The Hawks pushed the lead to 37-26 after an interception by McDougald as Eli Holmes scored from 49 yards out with 10 seconds remaining in the third.
“Defensively we played well overall but gave up a few really big plays, getting caught peaking in the backfield on some big pass plays,” Penny said. “We need to clean that up before heading into Terry Sanford next week.”
Camauri McDougald runs for 25 yards on 4th-and-5 from the EES 32.
(Dunn Area Sports Photo/Paul Burgett)
Brandon Watts heads to the end zone for a 7-yard score.
(Dunn Area Sports Photo/Paul Burgett)
J.J. Cowan tallies on a 44-yard run as the Hawks tie the score at 14.
(Dunn Area Sports Photo/Paul Burgett)
Noah Jackson (55) makes a stop for a loss for the Hawks.
(Dunn Area Sports Photo/Paul Burgett)
Nathan McKoy (54) comes in for a sack for Triton.
(Dunn Area Sports Photo/Paul Burgett)
Carter Daughtry kicks a 30-yard field goal with four seconds left in the half.
(Dunn Area Sports Photo/Paul Burgett)
Eli Holmes is in the clear on a 49-yard touchdown run.
(Dunn Area Sports Photo/Paul Burgett)
A.J. Dewar upends the EES quarterback late in the game.
(Dunn Area Sports Photo/Paul Burgett)
Ben Penny (black shirt) and the Hawks are happy to be in the win column.
(Dunn Area Sports Photo/Paul Burgett)
