Football is back in full form as Center Grove travelled to Brownsburg to compete in an official IHSAA scrimmage to kick off the new season.

The scrimmage was a typical set up with each team getting five segments of eight-15 plays from a variety of spots across the field to try and score with no special teams. What was not so typical about these two squads scrimmaging is there is not another scrimmage in the state where two top-three squads are going at it and not keeping score.

Full field segment (15 plays)

First-year starter Gabe McWilliams found 2026 ATH Drake McClurg down the seam to get things going on the first drive before they fizzled out and turned it over on downs in field goal range.

The three other drives would result in very minimal ball movement and one fumble as things were not looking hot for the Trojans.

As Brownsburg took the field with senior Iosua Stephens under center rather than 2027 gunslinger Oscar Frye, they were able to march down the field thanks to the elusive scrambling of Stephens before turning it over on downs in field goal range.

The fulling drive would be cut short for Frye, but he would make a few simple throws before time ran out.

Defensively, both squads were giving up limited room to run in the trenches and simulating competent pressure on the quarterbacks.

Red Zone segment (10 Plays)

Moving onto the redzone segment is where the Trojans took over. McWilliams was able to find running back Nolan Reese, wide receiver Brevin Halubar as 2028 quarterback Oscar Sloan found ATH Drake McClurg on consecutive drives to score three touchdowns in the allotted amount of plays.

At 6’6″ McWilliams physically appears to be a clone of former Trojan quarterback Tyler Cherry. Although not as powerful of an arm, McWilliams showed his touch and overall good accuracy in the redzone segment of the scrimmage.

Offensive weapons Halubar and McClurg are the top two returning producers for the Trojans as the program graduated a good chunk of starters. Halubar continued to show his sure hands and is bound for a productive senior campaign. As for McClurg, the electric receiver will do a bit of everything for the Trojans, but on his touchdown he showed off his speed taking a three yard flat route 25 yards into the endzone on an RPO.

Redzone was Frye’s time to shine for Brownsburg as after taking a sack he would throw a perfect over-the-shoulder pass to the corner pylon over thirty yards down the field to make the student section go crazy. Plays like that are what screams starter for the 2027 quarterback that holds an offer from Miami (OH). However, Stephens was able to get the Bulldogs down inside the five yard line before time ran out on the drive.

Scoring position segment (12 plays)

The last drive with the starters in the game, Center Grove continued their touchdown barrage to start the segment. Nolan Reese sprinted 34 yards through the B-gap to start the drive before he finished the job with a one-yard plunge into the endzone.

That would be the last of the fireworks for the Trojans as Brownsburg would tighten up and force one last turnover on downs before the time ran out.

Offensively for the Bulldogs, it was all Center Grove defensively as Stephens got things started with a deep interception before they fumbled the ball on the ensuing drive. Stephens would turn it over on downs one more time to finish his night before time ran out on Frye’s last drive.

Brownsburg QB Battle

Will it be Iosua Stephens or Oscar Frye?

The case for Stephens:

At 6’2″ 190 pounds, Stephens brings size and stature into the pocket for Brownsburg. Although lacking varsity experience like Frye, simply having more years in the system is beneficial to the offense. In addition to the size and age, Stephens is able to light it up on the ground with an impressive combination of quickness and speed at his size.

The case for Frye:

Not far off in height at 6′ even, Frye is mechanically a better passer than Stephens. While it was freshman ball, Frye still lit up the competition on Saturday mornings with 30 touchdowns in nine games. Against varsity competition tonight, Frye was able to make the right reads and keep the ball out of harms way in his two completed drives.

Gun to my head, it is hard to go against Frye if it were up to me. Throughout the scrimmage the offense ran smoother with him in the game and once he settled in he threw it confidently.

However, there is no wrong answer here. Whether it is Stephens or Frye the Bulldogs will have success, but Coach John Hart needs to pick one in seven days time, and it appears that Stephens may have the edge as of now.

For the rest of the Brownsburg squad, everything is where it needs to be on August 16. While the quarterback battle stole the limelight, linebacker Alex Burke spearheaded the defense to several stops and was all over the field during the scrimmage and is poised for a productive senior campaign.

All in all, nobody is competing for a state championship quite yet, but with the scrappiness of their defense and reliability of their receivers they will be making another playoff run.

Center Grove in seven sentences

The perennial powerhouse is still here and will almost certainly be playing games well into November once again.

Although the offense loses a lot of fire power, McWilliams is up to the challenge with his soft touch and effective accuracy while McClurg and Holubar might combine for nearly 2500 yards when you include rushing and returning. The two electric athletes are playmakers any team would kill to have.

Defensively, Indiana State commit Ryder Woolwine is poised to continue to reek havoc in opponents backfields while stuffing the run at the line of scrimmage. Behind him, linebacker Lincoln Bright and defensive back Luke Barrett will commanding their respective parts of the field.

An electric offense pairing with a dominant defense that held an equally talented offense to just one touchdown will be a force to reckon with this season.

The Trojans challenge themselves with a schedule that includes top 10 squads Westfield, Ben Davis and Cathedral as well as Trinity (KY) and nationally ranked #14 St Frances Academy (MD).

These scrimmages are a great way for teams to get a taste for the season, and to get the nerves out for many first-time varsity players.

Only time will tell if we can get this match up again later this season in the playoffs.

For now, Brownsburg gets this going with Fort Wayne Bishop Dwenger while Center Grove takes on Westfield.