Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
BOURBON — Triton has won at least seven games the past three high school football seasons.
Following the 2024 campaign in which the Trojans went 8-4 overall and 5-2 in the Hoosier North Athletic Conference, a new man is in charge of the program as Triton looks to keep the momentum going in 2025.
Andy Barker was named head coach in January. He was around at the end of the 2024 Triton season in an advisory capacity, and been has been an assistant coach at Mishawaka Marian, South Riley and Plymouth (his alma mater).
“We’re trying to build really good young men for the future,” says Barker. “Football is an amazing sport. You can learn a lot of characteristics on the gridiron. That’s really what it should for — building character.
“My focus has always been what can I learn to make me a better adult? We talk often about ‘over the line’ and ‘below the line’ behavior. ‘Above the line’ is being intentional and thoughtful in your actions. ‘Below the line’ is making excuses and not owning what you’ve done. The boys have responded very well. It’s been a great summer.”
On his day job, Barker is an Indiana State Police day shift trooper working mostly St. Joseph County out of Bremen Post District No. 24.
“ISP have been amazing when it comes to allowing me to do this,” says Barker. “If you ask the boys they would tell you my motto is ‘Relentless.’ It’s a word that I use often. It models my mentality when it comes to life, but very much football. It’s the idea of the relentless pursuit of perfection.
“You’re driving toward excellence understanding that you might never get there.”
The Trojans open the 2025 season at 7 p.m. Friday, Aug. 22 at 1A LaVille.
After that comes a home contest on the “Trojan Tundra” against 2A Bremen Aug. 29, at 1A Culver Community Sept. 5, vs. 1A South Central (Union Mills) Sept. 12, vs. 1A Winamac Sept. 19, at 1A North Judson Sept. 26, vs. 1A Caston Oct. 3, at 1A Pioneer Oct. 10 vs. 1A North Miami Oct. 17. The last seven regular-season games are in the HNAC.
Triton’s last sectional title came in 2018.
The Trojans’ offense operated out of the Wing-T formation in recent seasons, averaging 34.6 points per game in 2022 and 33.2 in 2023 and 30.8 in 2024.
“We will keep some of the Wing-T traits, but I would describe us more as Gun-T,” says Barker. “We’ll be out of the shotgun. We’re able to go under-center, but we’ll be a little more spread out than they were before.
“In our conference, we see so many different types of (offensive schemes). You’ve got to be a little more versatile on defense.
It’s the ultimate game of strategy. If they’re doing this, then we’re doing that and vice versa.”
With that in-mind, Triton is working on both even and odd fronts.
A roster of 35 includes seniors Cam Callahan, Kyle Cummins, Maddox Dennie, Braylon Fisher, Jayden Overmyer, Vinny Prater, Isaac Quintana, Colton Reynolds, Gavin Riffle, Brady Schuh, Franklin Sullivan and Liam Watkins and juniors Cayden Bradley, Dominique Bradley, Preston Brookins, Ryder Gayheart, Ashton Jacobs, Christian McIntosh and Gage Peltz.
Overmyer (1,321 yards and 16 touchdowns rushing in 2024) returns at tailback. Prater (675 yards and six TD’s) goes from fullback to running back.
Riffle steps in at quarterback after the graduation of Ben McFarland (741 yards and 14 TD’s passing). The backfield mix also includes Gayheart (163 yards and three TD’s).
“One thing we’re blessed with here at Triton is speed,” says Barker. “I’m a big speed guy so I’m glad I’ve got them.”
Schuh anchors the offensive line and Brookins and Dennie also return.
On the defensive line, there’s Schuh, Dennie and Prater.
Middle linebacker Reynolds will look at to lead the “D.” Brookins is also a major part of the linebacking corps.
Top returning total tackles leaders include Reynolds (83), Prater (50), Overmyer (37), Dennie (35) and Riffle (35). Esai Lemler (Class of 2025) made 74 total tackles last fall.
Opponents were held to 14.2 points per game in 2024.
With the graduation of versatile Dante’ Workman (423 yards and five TD’s receiving, 177 yards and three TD’s rushing and 64 total tackles), a search is on for a new kicker. Overmyer looks to be back at punter.
The Triton coaching staff also includes Matthew Arvesen, Cord Atkinson, David Cook, Aaron Mondy, Bryon Overmyer and Steve Watkins with the high school and Brayden Cunningham, Aaron Haines and Cole Lunetta with the junior high.
