The three-time reigning 6A state champs, Center Grove, got off to a slow start with a hard-fought 27-10 loss against St Edward (OH) who is nationally ranked in the top 10 in week one. Following just their third loss in 43 games, the Trojans had a close 28-10 win against Oakland (TN) prior to tonight’s dominating 34-7 win against Trinity (KY). 

Although the final score may suggest it, the game was tooth-and-nail throughout the first half. The game started with a quick Trinity 3 and Out that saw defensive lineman Nate Johnson have his first of two pass deflections for the Trojans. Some early offensive success arised for Center Grove after a great punt return by Drake McClurg, but on their first drive of the game Center Grove would get their field goal attempt blocked by Trinity. Then after a methodical drive down the field, Trinity would hand the ball right back to Center Grove on a fumble inside the 10 yard line. On the ensuing drive by Center Grove, Trinity would then take the ball right back with a strip sack to start the second quarter. With the score still 0-0, it was not until Duke commit quarterback Tyler Cherry found wide receiver Tyler Baxter in the back of the endzone to go up 7-0 with five minutes left in the first half. The Trojans would regain possession shortly after and with the help of wide receiver Noah Coy and running back Matthew Yoder get all the way down to the 19 yard line before they would ultimately miss their second field goal of the half. 

To start the third quarter, the Trojans fed senior running backs Matthew Yoder and Rylan Cook as Cook ended up punching it in for six to extend the lead. In their first possession of the second half, Trinity would attempt their second fake punt of the night, which would end up getting called back again due to penalty. Midway through the third quarter Tyler Cherry would find his number one target, Noah Coy 33 yards out to put the Trojans up 21-0. Trinity quarterback Carson Hilbert tried his best to keep the Shamrocks afloat as he had them driving down the field once again late in the third quarter before Trojan linebacker AJ Beggs would put an end to it on a monster 4th down sack. For their third score of the quarter, Rylan Cook emerged through the crowd and took it 48 yards all the way to the house to put Center Grove up 28-0. After Trinity had some big plays brought back due to holding, Tyler Cherry would find Noah Coy once more to go up 34-0 and put the game away for good. Carson Hilbert would go on to  lead a touchdown drive to start the 4th quarter, but Center Grove was just up by too much and would hold on to win 34-7. 

After fighting hard the past two weeks, Coach Moore and the Trojans were glad to finally pull one away. 

“We played another really hard, physical football team we had to play again tonight,’ said Moore. “In the first half when we kept sputtering on offense and making mistakes, it was [all on the] defense. Halftime we decided to start running the ball, one first down turns into two first downs turns into touchdowns. We got electric with confidence.” 

The Trojans will be playing their fourth of five consecutive out of state opponents next week against Archbishop Moeller (OH). The more national schedule played by Center Grove since leaving the MIC, has had its ups and downs for Coach Moore.

“[Playing out of state] has been a pain in the butt,” said Moore. “You do not know who you are playing with and you know nothing about each other. The talent and the physicality is really good, and if you do not get anybody hurt it will help [us] at the end of the year.” 

The goal at the end of the year is obviously the fourth consecutive state championship, but that comes with a lot of pressure that needs to be evaded. 

“It is all [about] opportunity,” Moore said. “Every year you have an opportunity as a senior to make a legacy for yourself and these guys want their own legacy. Now it is about them, these kids are still motivated.” 

As for the rest of season outlook for Center Grove, they should get the win against the now 1-2 Archbishop Moeller next week and will likely go into sectionals with just one or two losses as I think Lawrence Central and Cathedral will give the Trojans a run for their money. In terms of odds of a four-peat, I still have a team like Ben Davis as my favorite to win the tournament. However, Center Grove and Ben Davis have proven to be the clear-cut front runners for the state title so far this season. 

Game Awards

Player of The Game: Tyler Cherry- three passing touchdowns, excellent accuracy and commanded each offensive drive to perfection in the second half. 

“I just feel like we had very limited setbacks, and we just absolutely took over in the second half,” said Cherry. “[When I see him] out here I just let it fly and let Noah [Coy] make a play on it. We have a great connection.”

Impact Play of the Game: Tyler Cherry 33 yard touchdown to Noah Coy- There were a lot of impactful plays throughout the games, but the first big touchdown pass from Cherry to Coy is what really started to pull the Trojans away in that third quarter. 

Unit of the Game: Center Grove Defensive Line- Now, of course the running back tandem of Matthew Yoder and Rylan Cook played great, and the big guys in front of them played just as well. However, the Trojans defensive line led by Nate Johnson  pressured Hilbert and stuffed the rushing lanes all night. Helping out their linebackers and defensive backs in the process.