(11-23-22) Center Grove is looking to make it three consecutive Class 6A State Championships when they play the ‘new kids on the block‘ Carroll Friday night at Lucas Oil Stadium.

The Trojans have dominated 6A over the past several years…and this year is no different.

Yes they have two losses, one to Louisville (Ky) Trinity 29-28 in double overtime and the last game of the season to Indianapolis Cathedral 40-29. But the Trojans learned a lot from that loss to return the favor and pick-up a convincing win over Cathedral last week in the State Semi-Final game 33-10.

The two teams offenses are like night and day…the Trojans are a Wing-T team while Carroll is a passing team using the spread.

The Chargers Soph QB Jimmy Sullivan has passed for over 2,200 yards and Sophomore Nate Starks has over 1,100 yards rushing.

Center Grove had over 2,000 yard passing from QB Tyler Cherry and and almost 3,000 yards on the ground…including Micah Coyle with almost 2,000 yards rushing.

The key will be that the Trojans have been through the routine and uproar many times before, playing at Lucas Oil Stadium and the pressure of the championship game…but the Trojans also lost several key players to graduation from the past two state teams and several key players this year have been lost due to injury.

Center Grove Head Coach Eric Moore told the Daily Journal after the Cathedral game –

“This is the funnest high school team to coach. When no one expects you to win, and you still come through. A lot of these kids haven’t experienced playing for a state championship. It’s been a great experience for them.”

Moore commented to the Daily Journal after a close call with Franklin Central in the opening sectional game –

“We lost our premier athlete, Jalen Thomeson, during practice over the bye week. It’s just been tough. We’ve lost all these premier athletes this year, yet we’re still competing. Finding ways to win.

It is the first time ever that Carroll has advanced this far in the playoffs, they will need to overcome the jitters they will face on game day

Center Grove 33 Indianapolis Cathedral 10 — 6A Semi-State Game

WTHR – You Tube Video

Thanks to the IHSAA – Complete IHSAA State Football Playoffs

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