Host Triton gets numbers to the football on Friday night.
(Dunn Area Sports Photo/Paul Burgett)
Although Triton had leads of 13-0 and 27-14 on Friday night, Union Pines was able to come back for a 44-34 Tri-County Six 3-A Conference varsity football win on Senior Night for the Hawks.
Kyle Dunkins had a 55-yard touchdown run for Triton to get the scoring started with 7:54 left in the first quarter.
The Hawks extended the lead to 13-0 on a 21-yard scoring run by Travion Sanders with 1:57 to go in the opening period.
The Vikings came back to lead 14-13 after an 81-yard TD pass and a score following a 27-yard gain on a fake punt.
Romello Cowan provided Triton with a 20-14 lead as he went into the end zone on a 4-yard run with 30 seconds left in the first half.
Cowan’s 41-yard TD run pushed the Hawks’ advantage to 27-14 with 10:04 left in the third quarter.
Union Pines regained momentum quickly as Ahmad Jones returned the ensuing kickoff for a touchdown. The Vikings went ahead to stay as quarterback Rory Board had a 52-yard scoring pass and a 2-point conversion.
The visitors led 44-27 when Triton got its final TD on a 5-yard run by Sanders with 3:09 remaining in the game.
“We had a good game plan coming in and had a good week of practice,” said Hawks coach Ben Penny. “We are disappointed in the execution and costly mistakes. We had a two-score lead twice in the game and gave up big plays to allow them to stay in the game then eventually take over. Next week’s game is big for our school and community.”
The outcome put Triton at 3-7 overall and 1-3 in league play going into the regular-season finale at Harnett Central (5-5, 1-3) on Friday night.
Triton’s seniors are pictured. Kneeling, from left, are Travion Sanders, Myjalik Giles, Levi Bennett, Ahmad Waters, Charles James, Romello Cowan and Jaquan Holmes. Standing are Kyrese Harris, Wyatt Turner, Jalonte McNeill, Grayson Bradham, Michael Carvin, Tilghman Pope and Cristian Delcid.
(Dunn Area Sports Photo/Paul Burgett)
Triton’s Travion Sanders cuts back on a scoring run.
(Dunn Area Sports Photo/Paul Burgett)
Malik McNeill runs for yards on Triton’s third scoring drive.
(Dunn Area Sports Photo/Paul Burgett)
Senior band members for Triton were recognized at halftime.
(Dunn Area Sports Photo/Paul Burgett)
Romello Cowan had two touchdowns to bring his season total to 21 TDs.
(Dunn Area Sports Photo/Paul Burgett)
The Hawks bring down UP quarterback Rory Board on Friday night.
(Dunn Area Sports Photo/Paul Burgett)
Wyatt Turner makes a tackle for Triton in a 44-34 Senior Night setback.
(Dunn Area Sports Photo/Paul Burgett)
Travion Sanders intercepts for the Hawks in his last home game.
(Dunn Area Sports Photo/Paul Burgett)
Kyle Dunkins is headed to the end zone in the first quarter for Triton.
(Dunn Area Sports Photo/Paul Burgett)
