If such a thing as the ultimate Johnson County trick football play exists, it might play out as follows late next week:
South All-Star quarterback Nathan McCahill takes the snap, pitches the ball to Chase Valentine, who, upon receiving a crunching block from Garrett Keith, proceeds to lob a halfback pass to an all-by-his-lonesome Connor Delp.
The likelihood of the South coaching staff brainstorming such a sequence is rare, though, when it comes to the annual IFCA North-South Classic, never say never.
Either way, these Johnson County players look forward to four days of making new friendships, team practices and meetings, the ongoing tradition of exchanging helmet decals and, yes, doing everything in their power to help the South All-Stars snap the North’s five-game win streak.
Players and coaches report to Anderson University on Tuesday morning. The North-South game is the night of July 9 at AU’s Macholtz Stadium.
For many of the players taking part, All-Star week and all that surrounds it is a connector between their prep and college football careers; in the case of others, it’s an enjoyable farewell to playing the sport competitively.
“It’s probably going to be my last game, so it’s going to be very exciting,” said Valentine, who as a senior rushed for 1,820 yards and 20 touchdowns in leading Whiteland to a Class 5A regional appearance. “I’m excited about playing with kids who were on teams from other schools.
“Being an all-star … it means a lot, to be honest. To be the 14th player from Whiteland to play in the game is a pretty big accomplishment. I want to do good and rep the Warriors.”
Former Center Grove teammates Keith and Delp, part of the program’s undefeated run to a 6A state championship last fall, are also on the South roster. McCahill, meanwhile, grew up playing in the Trojans’ program, but eventually transferred to Cathedral and last season led the Irish to the 5A state title.
Delp’s final act representing his alma mater takes place barely more than a month after medaling in three events at the state track and field meet.
“It’s an honor to play in this game, and I’m glad I can be part of it,” said Delp, who’ll be a preferred walk-on receiver for the Indiana University football program later this summer after catching 39 passes for a school-record 801 yards as a Center Grove senior.
“I’m excited to play alongside Garrett Keith and Nathan McCahill. These two have been teammates and opponents since the first-grade. I’m also excited to play against new IU teammate Drew Pearce (a wide receiver from Tipton). He will be playing for the North team, and I’m excited to talk smack with him for a week.”
Keith, a 6-foot-4, 245-pound tight end who will play at Hillsdale (Michigan) College this coming season, looks forward to helping the South, whether it’s catching the ball or blocking for teammates.
“I think it’s going to be a blast meeting the rest of the kids and making those friendships,” Keith said. “It’s a big deal for me to go and represent this program. What makes Center Grove football so unique is that we’re extremely dedicated to the program and to each other.”
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What: IFCA North-South All-Star Classic
Where: Macholtz Stadium, Anderson University
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Local players: Connor Delp and Garrett Keith, Center Grove; Chase Valentine, Whiteland
2019 game: North 25, South 24
Series: South leads, 27-26
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