Carson Steele had earned seemingly every accolade known to man during his high school football career, including Indiana Mr. Football back in December. Now, just weeks before graduation, the Center Grove senior can lay claim to one more big one.
On Thursday, Steele was honored as the Gatorade Player of the Year for the state of Indiana. He is the second Trojan to win the award in the last five seasons; Russ Yeast took it in 2016.
Back then, Steele was an eighth-grader just hoping to make a contribution one day.
“I was like, ‘I’ll try to play three or four years and hopefully win a state championship,'” he said, “but to be able to win Mr. Football and Gatorade Player of the Year is just overachievement. I’m so thankful for it.”
Steele rushed for 1,659 yards and 31 touchdowns during his senior season, adding two more scores on pass receptions. His efforts helped lead Center Grove to a dominating 14-0 season that culminated with a 38-14 rout of Westfield in the Class 6A state championship game. Several national rankings had the Trojans in the top 10 at season’s end.
The outstanding 2020 campaign was the capstone on an incredible career for Steele. Despite missing most of his junior year due to injury, he leaves in possession 16 school records, including career standards in rushing attempts (967) and yardage (5,907) as well as touchdowns (82 rushing, 85 total).
In the fall, Steele will line up in the backfield at Ball State. He’s “a little sad” to be leaving his time at Center Grove behind, but he’s eager to step up to the next level.
“I know it’s a great program,” he said. “They run stuff a lot like (Center Grove coach Eric) Moore. So going into a program where they’re really familiar with winning, that’s one thing I love about them, and I’m super excited.”
