Indiana Collective continued a stellar start to its season as both teams competed in the Pylon 7v7 football tournament at Grand Park in Westfield, IN. 

The 15u squad went 2-1 in pool play, racking up 62 points against 25 points allowed. Indiana Collective entered Sunday as the No. 3 seed and advanced to the finals after beating THE Ohio Players 22-15 in the quarterfinals and Millz2BeMade 22-8 in the semifinals. North Central quarterback Chase Grove threw touchdown passes to teammates Jawon Waddell, Kristian Toran, along with Bloomington North’s Javen Brooks and Westfield’s Caden Snow. Indiana Collective met Illinois’ based Midwest Boom in the finals, falling just short 19-14 after a Hail Mary heave was broken up in the end zone as time expired.  

“It’s all about how you respond,” Indiana Collective 15u coach JC Boice said. “We are a brand new program, got a lot of guys from all over the state and we are coming together. I felt like the communication was much better than the last tournament. I feel there is starting to be some real, authentic, camaraderie amongst the kids. They are starting to trust and work hard for each other.” 

Boice mentioned all five players stood out this weekend with phenomenal play. The objective was to bring more intensity from both sides of the football each day and Grove felt that was accomplished in the first-year program’s second tournament. 

Indiana Collective 15U Pylon Highlights

The Indiana Collective 18u squad made a statement winning all three pool play games Saturday, scoring 60 points against 44 points allowed. As the No. 3 seed, Indiana Collective defeated THE O7C Wildcat Elite 13-7 to advance to the quarterfinals. 

New Palestine quarterback Jacob Davis ignited the quarterfinals with a deep touchdown pass to Fort Wayne Carroll receiver Jaidon VanPelt. Indiana Collective survived a scare on the final play after stopping the No. 6 seed Midwest Bucks Gold on three consecutive two-point attempts to win 26-25. An illegal second blitz gave the Bucks another shot to win it before time expired, then an illegal contact penalty gave the Bucks one last chance to advance. On a controversial final play, the Bucks tight end caught the football at the goal line, but was ruled just shy by the line judge to end the game. 

Indiana Collective ultimately fell in the semifinals 28-12 against the No. 2 seed and eventual tournament champion TFP Flite Boyz. Indiana Collective 18u coach Solo Smith acknowledged the main message after the loss was to “continue to perform” in the fast-paced tournament setting. Smith mentioned Marion’s Logan Barnes, who made a spectacular snag on a jump ball in the end zone, was the most athletic player on the field this weekend. 

“We are still trying to find an identity with this group,” Smith said. “When you have got a bunch of guys from all over the state, it could be hard to mesh personalities and schemes.” 

Indiana Collective 18U Pylon Highlights

Both IC squads compete in Dallas next weekend in the next Pylon 7v7 series event at Parkhill Park.