The Indiana Collective National 7v7 Program, spearheaded by Indiana Preps, has created incredible opportunities for some of the state’s brightest young football talents. Among them, the class of 2028 duo from North Central High School—quarterback Chase Grove and wide receiver Javen Brooks—has emerged as a dynamic force, sparking a remarkable turnaround for a program that had been winless over the past four seasons. Their impact, both in the Indiana Collective and on the field for the North Central Panthers, has set the stage for a bright future for the greater Indianapolis community. 

Grove, a 6’2.5”, 175-pound sophomore, has taken the Indiana high school football scene by storm. In his first varsity start against Brebeuf Jesuit, Grove showcased his elite potential, completing 21 of 31 passes (64%) for 338 yards, four touchdowns, and zero interceptions, posting an impressive 143.5 QBR. That game marked North Central’s first win in years, breaking a 0-40 skid and signaling the start of a new era under first-year head coach Collin Coffer, a 14-year NCAA coaching veteran.Grove continued to shine throughout the regular season, where he led all 2028 quarterbacks in both the Metropolitan Interscholastic Conference (MIC) and the entire state of Indiana in passing yards, touchdowns, and completion percentage. His final regular season stats tie to his success and class ranking: 140 of 218 passes completed (64%) for 1,790 yards, 19 touchdowns, and just three interceptions. Notably, Grove was sacked only five times in 218 passing attempts. His combination of football acumen, pinpoint accuracy, and deep-ball ability has made him a standout, earning him a No. 5 ranking among all Indiana high school quarterbacks, regardless of class, according to MaxPreps.

While Grove has been the headliner, other 2028 6A quarterbacks have also made their mark this season. Jack Quillen (Warren) threw for 1,623 yards and 16 touchdowns, Darian Prather (Lawrence North) posted 1,525 yards and 18 touchdowns, Oscar Sloan (Center Grove) recorded 1,298 yards and 11 touchdowns, Mychael Lewis (Pike) tallied 741 yards, and Cooper Melvin (Westfield) added 705 yards, per MaxPreps. Yet, Grove’s combination of volume, efficiency, and impact set him apart as the top sophomore signal-caller in Indiana’s 6A division.
Javen Brooks, a 6’2”, 180-pound sophomore receiver, also played a pivotal role in North Central’s resurgence. In that same opening win against Brebeuf Jesuit, Brooks hauled in three receptions for 42 yards and a touchdown in his varsity debut. Despite a season-ending injury in week eight, Brooks established himself as a big-time receiver k

nown for his strong hands, physicality as a possession receiver, and explosive vertical playmaking. Javen finished his shortened regular season with 33 receptions for 401 yards and six touchdown catches, which is fourth statistically for 2028 Receivers in Indiana.  Two other Indiana Collective 2028 Athletes, Maddox Weil (Fort Wayne Northup) and Markel Bailey (Franklin Central), finished one and two, with Weiling hauling in 790 yards on 47 catches and 6  touchdowns and Bailey getting 452 yards on 25 catches and 11 touchdowns.The future looks exceptionally bright for North Central, which fielded a young roster this season, at times starting six sophomores on offense and five on defense. With Coach Coffer’s leadership and the talents of Grove and Brooks, the Panthers are positioned for continued growth in the 2026 season. Grove, already holding an offer from Big Ten’s Purdue and drawing strong interest from programs like Louisville, is a rising star with the frame and skills to attract even more attention. Brooks is also gaining recruiting momentum, having visited Purdue and Louisville, with a game-day visit to Indiana scheduled.
As the Indiana Collective National 7v7 Program continues to showcase the state’s top talents, Chase Grove and Javen Brooks are jumping into the national recruiting discussion. With Grove’s high football IQ and dynamic passing ability and Brooks’ versatility as a receiver and blocker, this sophomore tandem is rewriting the narrative at North Central and setting their sights on even bigger goals in the seasons to come.