HS football previews
History says this Friday’s game between Bremen and Triton is a foregone conclusion. Has history ever been wrong? The Trojans certainly hope so and after three weeks of the current high school football season should have confidence going into its annual match-up with the Lions.
Bremen (1-2) has dominated the series, winning 33 of the last 35 meetings with the last Triton (2-1) victory coming in 2009. But if you ask those in the Laville football program, this meeting could go either way.
The Lancers gave Triton its only loss, 7-0, in overtime and also defeated Bremen, 14-12. The Trojans and Lions are each averaging around 17 ppg. Bremen has allowed more (25-13), but last week’s game against a very good Marian team skews that statistic somewhat.
This game will be running-play heavy with Lance Moser and Austin Mckenzie leading the way for Bremen and the Schuh brothers, Anthony and Trace, carrying the bulk of the load for Triton. The quarterbacks (Ethan Nunemaker, Cole Shively) won’t throw a lot, but each one is a capable thrower. Ashton Shively is the main receiving threat for Bremen. Triton had three different receivers with one reception last week (Tyler Amsden, A. Schuh, Cole Irvine).
Triton is coming off an emotional win after the tragic death of Cam Fairchild in a car wreck six days prior.
“I was happy with the boys. We played well. It was a rough week, but it did bring the team closer,” said Triton head coach Rodney Younis. “Our line did a good job, not just the linemen but also the skill kids on the outside setting the edge. Getting Trace (Schuh) back was huge because now we have two threats in the backfield and you can’t forget about (QB) Cole Shively. He can run as well. It will be nice to have that triple threat moving forward. Overall, we did well to bend not break on defense last week. It was a good team effort. We’re rivals with Bremen because our schools are close to each other, but it’s tough calling it a rivalry because they have owned us for so many years. I have nothing but respect for them. They know how to win. They’ll bring their best shot. They’re aggressive. It could be a long night. We need to match their physicality.”
“We need to be fundamentally sound,” countered Lions head coach Jordan Leeper, who will be back on the sidelines after a 10-day quarantine period. “Their running backs are big. We know they have athletes that can hurt you if you are not disciplined. If you don’t play intelligent, they’ll hurt you. Owning the line of scrimmage is a big key for us.”