Shyheim Cooke of Triton returns a kickoff 90 yards for a touchdown.
(Dunn Area Sportsn Photo/John Lucas)

A short-handed Triton varsity football team suffered a 47-6 loss to visiting All American 3-A/4-A Conference opponent Terry Sanford Friday.

“They’re a good football team,” said Triton offensive coordinator David Weathersby, who filled the role of head coach for Ben Penny, who missed the game due to illness. “We’ve been dealing with sickness and injury all week. We played hard. Those that could play played their heart out. I’m proud of them. We just didn’t have what it took tonight.

“Not the team we want to be missing guys against and we got some injuries early in the first half, too. That team’s real good and we knew it coming in. We knew we had to play a good game and we just didn’t have it tonight. But I’m proud of the fight in our kids.”

Senior Jalen Evans completed 4-of-5 passes for 56 yards and junior A.J. Dewar ran for 45 yards on 12 carries to lead the Hawks (2-3, 1-1 AAC).

“A.J. couldn’t get off the field tonight, because he had to go play middle linebacker, too, because of injuries there,” Weathersby said. “A.J.’s a hoss. He’s a junior that’s going to be good for us. He kind of was our mainstay in the backfield tonight.”

James Shaw had two receptions for 30 yards. Camauri McDougald had a 23-yard reception. Malichi Harris-Daye ran for 17 yards on three carries. Eligah Holmes ran for seven yards on seven carries and had a three-yard reception.

Senior Dante Garcia completed 15-of-20 passes for 262 yards and two touchdowns to lead the Bulldogs (4-1, 2-0 AAC).

The Bulldogs opened the game with 21 unanswered points.

Shyheim Cooke gave the Hawks a brief spark by returning a kickoff 90 yards for a touchdown, but the extra point missed.

“When you kick to 12, you’re kicking to somebody dangerous,” Weathersby said. “He’s fast. We’ve got to find more ways to get him the ball.”

But Terry Sanford finished the game with 26 unanswered points.

Triton travels to conference foe Westover (4-1, 1-1) on Friday night.

“We’ve got to get healthy,” Weathersby said. “That’s the name of the game. Missing No. 5 (J.J. Cowan) out there was big. I think we’re going to get him back next week. And hopefully some of the guys that went out tonight, it’s not too bad.”

K.J. Lockamy makes a tackle for the Hawks on Friday night.
(Dunn Area Sports Photo/John Lucas)

Elijah Stewart-Williams forces a Terry Sanford fumble.
(Dunn Area Sports Photo/John Lucas)

A,.J. Dewar runs for the Hawks in a 47-6 All American Conference loss.
(Dunn Area Sports Photo/John Lucas)

Jordan Thompson (30) breaks up a Bulldogs pass in the end zone.
(Dunn Area Sports Photo/John Lucas)

Malachi Harris-Daye runs the ball for host Triton.
(Dunn Area Sports Photo/John Lucas)