Triton Athletics

BOURBON — Triton’s 2026 football season came to an end Friday night with a 62-7 loss to North Judson-San Pierre in the opening round of Class 1A Sectional 41 at the Trojan Tundra. North Judson scored six touchdowns during a 41-point opening quarter. Junior Ayson Harper opened the scoring with a five-yard run before junior Aiden McGowen added a two-yard touchdown. Senior quarterback Javen Christensen then connected with McGowen for an 84-yard touchdown. Harper scored again from two yards out, and senior Aidan Christensen returned a fumble 20 yards for another score. Triton answered when senior Ryder Gayheart broke free for a 70-yard touchdown run. Junior Blake Ousley converted the extra point to make the score 34-7. McGowen added a 12-yard touchdown run late in the opening quarter. North Judson carried a 41-7 advantage into the second quarter. Harper scored his third touchdown on a three-yard run during the second quarter, and Aidan Christensen added an eight-yard score to give the Blue Jays a 55-7 halftime lead. Neither team scored in the third quarter. Sophomore Sawyer Craig completed the scoring with a 24-yard touchdown run in the fourth. Gayheart led Triton with 81 yards and a touchdown on 21 carries. Senior Cayden Bradley added 32 yards on six attempts as the Trojans finished with 114 rushing yards. Freshman Drew Barker completed 3 of 4 passes for 42 yards. Bradley completed one pass for 13 yards. Ousley recorded a 35-yard reception, while junior Lukas Nicely caught a 13-yard pass. Bradley added two receptions. Triton finished with 169 yards of offense and nine first downs. The Trojans held the ball for 28:50 but were hurt by two lost fumbles and two interceptions. North Judson accumulated 404 yards, including 268 on the ground. Harper led the Blue Jays with 97 yards and three touchdowns. McGowen rushed for 70 yards and two scores while catching four passes for 136 yards and another touchdown. Nicely led Triton’s defense with eight tackles. Gayheart and junior Logan Collins recorded four tackles apiece, while freshman Channing Heckaman and Bradley added three each. North Judson: 41 | 14 | 0 | 7 — 62 Triton: 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 — 7 Triton Statistical Leaders Rushing: Ryder Gayheart 21-81, TD; Cayden Bradley 6-32; Channing Heckaman 3-1 Passing: Drew Barker 3-4, 42 yards, INT; Cayden Bradley 1-5, 13 yards, INT Receiving: Blake Ousley 1-35; Lukas Nicely 1-13; Cayden Bradley 2-7 Kick Returns: Lukas Nicely 6-99; Ryder Gayheart 3-62; Cayden Bradley 1-25 Punting: Lukas Nicely 3-72, 24.0 average, long of 37, one inside the 20 Tackles: Lukas Nicely 8; Ryder Gayheart 4; Logan Collins 4; Channing Heckaman 3; Cayden Bradley 3; Jackson Richie 3 Triton completed the 2026 season with a 1-9 record. The Trojans’ victory came on the road against South Central, 37-6, on Sept. 11.