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Schools

Triton Routs District Rival Highland Behind Keller, Woods

The Mustangs jumped out to a big lead early and never looked back.

Triton football head coach Pete Goetz spent much of the preseason emphasizing to his team the importance of getting off to a quick start.

Apparently, they were listening.

Triton’s Alan Richards intercepted Highland quarterback Dan Martin on the first play from scrimmage, igniting a 48-0 Mustangs' romp over the Black Horse Pike Regional School District rival Tartans.

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The Mustangs held Highland to less than 15 yards of total offense and forced three turnovers in the first quarter to spark the blowout.

After the game, Richards talked about wanting to set the tone early for his team.

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“We just really came out ready to play,” he said. “I dropped back, read the throw and made a play on it.”

From there it took two plays for the Mustangs to get on the board as senior quarterback Brian Keller found running back Josh Woods open in the middle of the field for a 39-yard touchdown.

“Josh beat his man off the line of scrimmage and I saw him matched up with a safety and he was gone,” Keller said. “Once he’s gone, you’re not going to catch him.”

After a quick three and out by the Highland offense, Triton scored two plays later on a 55-yard touchdown run by Jim Burns to put the Mustangs up 14-0 less than five minutes into the game.

Woods, who accounted for 120 total yards, scored his second touchdown of the game to extend Triton’s lead after Highland’s second turnover of the first quarter. The turnover occurred when Highland quarterback Dan Martin couldn’t handle the exchange on a handoff.

On the ensuing possession, a third Highland turnover led to a 1-yard touchdown plunge by Keller to make the score 28-0 at the end of the first quarter.

“We felt coming in that, in order to have a good season, the first game is a must-win. We wanted to come out and smash them in the mouth and set the tone for this season,” Keller said.

The Mustangs extended their lead to 35-0 early in the second quarter when Burns took an option toss from Keller in for an 18-yard touchdown. The senior running back finished the night with 79 rushing yards in addition to his two scores.

After the game, Goetz wasn’t surprised by Burns' big night.

“It seemed like they were intent on trying to stop Woods, but that really helped open things up for Jimmy, who has been a really good player for us,” he said.

After scoring touchdowns on their first two drives of the third quarter to extend their lead to 48-0, Triton pulled many of its starters.

It appeared Highland was about to finally get on the board when senior running back Troy Warren plowed his way down to the goal line on a 20-yard run, but he fumbled the ball into the end zone just prior to crossing the goal line. The Mustangs recovered the loose ball for a touchback.

It was just one of those nights for the Tartans, who will look to get back on track next week when they travel to Cumberland.

Despite the lopsided score, Goetz was complimentary of Highland after the game.

“Look, we have a lot of experience and they are a very young team. They have a good coaching staff over there and a very young team. I’m sure that things are going to come around for them,” he said.

Triton will look to run its record 2-0 when it opens the home schedule against Kingsway.

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