Center Grove, Roncalli win state football titles

<p>INDIANAPOLIS</p><p>All season long, high school football fans in Indiana salivated over the dominant Center Grove defense.</p><p>Turns out the Trojans’ offense isn’t too shabby, either.</p><p>Top-ranked Center Grove polished off a perfect season on Friday night, overwhelming No. 2 Westfield with six first-half scores on the way to a 38-14 triumph in the Class 6A state championship game at Lucas Oil Stadium. It’s the third football title in school history, with the others coming in 2008 and 2015.</p><p>“It feels great,” Center Grove coach Eric Moore said. “I can’t thank my seniors enough for how hard they played and how hard they’ve trained in the offseason when they were by themselves. We knew they were the most mature and most experienced team coming into this year, but it’s hard to go 14 weeks and win every game, and they did it. All the credit to them.”</p><p>Roncalli also made quick work of its state finals opponent on Friday, rolling past Hobart 49-7 in the Class 4A title game.</p><p>The Trojans (14-0) came into the season widely expected to win the Class 6A crown, and they did not disappoint. Center Grove outclassed the Shamrocks in every facet of the game, especially during a first half that ended. Junior quarterback Tayven Jackson passed for 180 yards and two touchdowns, both of those to senior Trent Veith, and senior running back Carson Steele closed out his record-breaking career by rushing for 138 yards and a pair of scores.</p><p>In the afternoon game, Roncalli jumped out in front with a pair of first-quarter touchdowns and continued to pull away, not allowing the Brickies to score until 38 seconds remained in the game.</p><p>Junior quarterback Aidan Leffler threw for 200 yards and five touchdowns for Roncalli, with three of those scoring passes going to classmate Kyle Lockard. Senior running back Baron Huebler rushed for 155 yards and a touchdown.</p><p>Roncalli senior defensive back was named the winner of the IHSAA’s Mental Attitude Award after the 4A final.</p>