Triton Central

TC FOOTBALL FALLS TO BATESVILLE IN OVERTIME THRILLER. Triton Central opened the 2026 football season Friday night with a hard-fought battle against Batesville, but the Tigers came up just short in overtime, falling to the Bulldogs 20-17 at Mendenhall Field. The Tigers controlled the game early, taking a 6-0 lead into halftime. Triton Central quarterback Matthew Wilkins connected with junior Dylan Showalter on a 33-yard touchdown pass in the second quarter to put TC on the board. The extra point was blocked, leaving the Tigers with a six-point advantage at the break. Batesville responded in the second half, scoring a rushing touchdown in the third quarter before adding a touchdown pass in the fourth to take a 14-6 lead. Triton Central answered late in regulation. Wilkins found the end zone on an 8-yard rushing touchdown, and junior Landon Ball followed with a successful two-point conversion run to tie the game at 14-14 and force overtime. The Tigers received the ball first in overtime and took the lead when Evan Mitchell connected on a 20-yard field goal, putting TC ahead 17-14. Batesville answered with a touchdown pass from quarterback Calvin Padgett to Jack Schornick to secure the 20-17 victory. Wilkins finished the night 10-of-28 passing for 138 yards and a touchdown while adding 55 rushing yards and a touchdown on eight carries. Ball carried the workload on the ground, finishing with 24 carries for 70 yards. Henry Kemper led the Tigers through the air with seven receptions for 87 yards, while Showalter added three catches for 51 yards and a touchdown. Defensively, Weston Smith led the Tigers with seven tackles and eight assists. Nolan Thompson recorded five tackles, three assists and a sack, while Ball and Dallas Clarke each added four tackles. Ty Bergman recorded three tackles and forced a fumble. Despite the heartbreaking loss, Triton Central showed plenty of fight in its season opener, battling back from an eight-point deficit late in regulation and taking the lead in overtime before Batesville ultimately escaped with the win. The Tigers begin the season 0-1 and will look to pick up their first victory next week when they host Indianapolis Scecina Memorial at home starting at 7 PM. On Saturday, TC's JV squad traveled to Batesville and lost 48-12, also starting their season 0-1.