STW PREVIEW: East Central Trojans

Looking to repeat state championship

Quick Notes:

Class 4A Sectional 23

Head coach: Jake Meiners

Record at EC: 42-9; 5th year at EC

2022 Record: 13-2; defeated New Prairie, 37-7, to become 4A State Champions

In the words of Paul Heyman, The East Central Trojans are your reigning, defending, undisputed IHSAA 4A Football State Champions.

With the Trojans returning quite a few starters, it’s hard not to think that they have a great shot at making another run for a State Title.

Of those returning starters, is QB Cole Burton. Burton threw for almost 1800 yards in ‘22 with 22 touchdowns through the air. He does lose two of his receivers in Eli Aston and Cole Wheat but arguably his favorite target is returning in WR Ryan Brotherton who hauled in 859 of those yards and half of those touchdowns with 11.

Speaking of Wide Receivers, you’re going to want to keep an eye on transfer Cory Helms. Helms played last season with the Harrison Wildcats over in Ohio. Cory Helms accounted for 14 receptions, 191 yards and 2 touchdowns. The best WR on the 2022 Wildcat team, averaging almost 14 yards per catch, was wildly underutilized. The Wildcats in 2022 were a run first team that only threw the ball when in a pinch. We think this could be a breakout season for Helms with Burton slinging the rock to him in Trojan Country.

Also returning for the Trojans is RB Josh Ringer. Ringer had a phenomenal 2022 season, racking up 2368 yards and 39 touchdowns. The 7th best player in Indiana according to On3 Sports and the 2nd best RB according to Prep Redzone is looking to have another huge season in 2023.

Up front, the Trojans graduated Brayden Bates, Jacob Sedgebeer, Patrick Schneider and Noah Annis but if you’re a fan of the Trojans, you know that the Trojan lineman have a next man up mentality. Stepping in to fill those roles will be Wyatt Smith, Gavin Osterman, Logan Colyer and Noah Brown.

Over on the defensive side of the ball, the East Central Trojans are looking to continue putting opposing offenses in a bind. Last season, the Trojans pitched 4 shutouts, two of those being in the playoffs and kept their opponents to an average of 10.4 points per game. The Trojans lose some solid players, including Louis Gray, Kingston Cook, Rhett Smith and Carson Koelling but once again, the mentality is next man up. DB’s Moses Wheat, Jace Dorsey and Chase Bellman look to keep St Leon a No Fly Zone while LB’s Alex Kuhn, AJ Garrison and Dylan Maxwell look to terrorize opposing QBs.

Kuhn, Garrison and Maxwell combined for 67 tackles, 7 sacks and an interception in 2022. We expect this group of guys to improve on those numbers in 2023.

Be sure to get out and support your Trojans in 2023!

8/18 @ Lawrenceburg

8/25 Harrison

9/1 Cincinnati Moeller

9/8 @ Franklin County

9/15 @ Batesville

9/22 South Dearborn

9/29 Connersville

10/6 Greensburg

10/13 @ Roncalli