Travion Sanders makes a catch for the Hawks on Friday night.
(Dunn Area Sports Photo/Paul Burgett)

Five turnovers on four fumbles and an interception figured significantly in a 30-5 loss at Southern Lee on Friday night that dropped Triton’s varsity football team to 2-6 overall and 0-2 in the Tri-County Six 3-A Conference going into Friday’s Homecoming game against Western Harnett.

“We came out about as flat as you can come out,” said Hawks coach Ben Penny. “They didn’t surprise us at all. We had a good game plan together. We knew how good No. 3 (Tanoah Lockley) was and we knew we had to stop him. … But we didn’t do it and we put the ball on the ground.”

Triton’s points came on a 25-yard field goal by Cristian Delcid late in the first half and a safety in the fourth quarter as Levi Bennett got to Cavaliers punter for a tackle in the end zone.

“We stopped the option, which was one of our goals, but gave up some big plays in the air,” Penny said. “Our defense gave us several opportunities to take back the game, but we kept giving them the ball back.”

Southern Lee improved to 5-2 on the season and 2-0 in the Tri-County.

Three of the Hawks’ losses were to 4-A opponents in the first four games. A tough schedule was designed to get Triton ready for league play. Instead, it may have worn the Hawks down.

“We have to figure out how to get recharged,” Penny said. “I thought our tough schedule would have made us better, but instead it has beat them up mentally and physically.”

Case in point was Hawks running back Travion Sanders, who played sparingly after sitting out some with an ankle injury.

“He didn’t have the extra cut he makes,” Penny said. “They were making plays with him one-on-one in the backfield when he usually makes that guy miss.”

Levi Bennett (8) gets to the Southern Lee punter for a safety.
(Dunn Area Sports Photo/Paul Burgett)

Cristian Delcid kicks a 25-yard field goal for Triton late in the first half.
(Dunn Area Sports Photo/Paul Burgett)

Hawks quarterback J.P. Petoletti scrambles at Southern Lee.
(Dunn Area Sports Photo/Paul Burgett)

Triton defender Wyatt Turner deflects a pass by the Cavaliers.
(Dunn Area Sports Photo/Paul Burgett)

Romello Cowan (33) runs in the Southern Lee secondary late in the game.
(Dunn Area Sports Photo/Paul Burgett)

Tanoah Lockley of the hosts makes a sensational catch in a 30-5 win.
(Dunn Area Sports Photo/Paul Burgett)