Center Grove, Franklin boys soccer teams top programs in Johnson County
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Gabe Kelker, from left, Mitch Eckerle and Max McLaughlin are among the returning players for the defending regional champion Center Grove boys soccer team. The school hosts the Trojan Classic on Saturday.
Coming off its 10th regional title, the Center Grove boys soccer team will have to rely on teamwork to repeat that achievement, according to coach Phil Orlando.
“We have no superstars. We’re just solid at every position if we can stay healthy,” said Orlando, who’s in his 13th season at Center Grove.
Center Grove returns six starters from last year’s 18-2-2 team, including goalkeeper Dalton Mudd, midfielder Christian McGill, midfielder/forward Mitch Eckerle, midfielder Creighton Smith and defenders Logan McNamee and Austin Storm. All are seniors.
Orlando stopped short of saying this year’s team would match last year’s accomplishments but added the Trojans are capable.
“I’m hoping we’re successful this year, but we have a lot of work ahead of us,” he said. “We’re still working on our attack and trying to shore up our lineup.
“We have a lot of kids who can do the job, but we’re still trying to figure all that out.”
Center Grove’s 17 sectional titles leads the state. The Trojans have won seven straight sectionals. They lost to Columbus North in the semistate last season.
Franklin
The Grizzly Cubs figure to be the Trojans’ toughest challengers in the local sectional field. Franklin returns all but two starters from last year’s 13-4-1 team, which gave Center Grove a battle in the sectional championship match before losing 4-2.
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