Starting their season a day earlier than most teams shouldn't bother Hall of Fame coach Don Henderson too much. The Triton Cobras return about nine starters on each side of the ball, "This group of seniors for us has started a lot of football games since their sophomore year. We only lost two senior linemen to graduation."

On Saturday's KRFO coaches show, he said, "We look extra sharp offensively," with all the skill guys returning. The entire defensive backfield and line-backing corps all are back. "We have to work with the lines and get them up to speed." The captains are seniors Brady Essig and Levi Smith, who were both captains as juniors as well.

The Cobras open their season at Byron on Thursday, August 31, at 7PM on KDHL AM 920. The nearby rivals haven't played since 2012. Henderson said, "They've always got good athletes over there and they've got a new coaching staff that's really doing a great job. That's a good, good test for an opener. Win or lose, you're going to find out a lot about yourself."

Ben Halder is in his second year as coach, taking over the Bears after John Austinson retired after nearly 20 years and more than 100 victories. Halder played high school football in Lake City and coached college football before returning to southern Minnesota. Byron played in Class 4A last year, but are in Section 1AAA this year. Triton is in Section 1AA.

The Cobras face defending state champion Caledonia on Friday, September 8, in Dodge Center for their home opener. Six of the eight teams on Triton's schedule had a winning record in 2016.

 

Triton schedule, all games are 7PM

  • Thursday, August 31, at Byron
  • Friday, September 8, vs. Caledonia
  • Friday, September 15, at Chatfield
  • Friday, September 22, vs. St. Charles (Hall of Fame game)
  • Friday, September 29, vs. Dover-Eyota
  • Friday, October 6, at Cannon Falls
  • Friday, October 13, at Lewiston-Altura
  • Wednesday, October 18, vs. Zumbrota-Mazeppa

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