Drew Wheat’s offseason desire to wear the No. 5 jersey wasn’t unexpected.
The junior wore 22 for Center Grove’s unbeaten Class 6A state championship team a year ago, but Wheat understood becoming part of the Trojans so-called 5-ternity meant raised expectations based on those who succeeded him.
All that the previous 5, wingback/receiver/return man Connor Delp, did wearing it the past three years was accumulate 2,619 all-purpose yards.
“I switched to the No. 5 because there’s kind of like a legacy at Center Grove for that number and I wanted to continue it,” Wheat said. “Also, one of my best friends and one of the people I look up to most, Connor Delp, wore that number, and I wanted to take that over after him.”
In the 23 seasons Eric Moore has been head coach, a variety of jersey numbers have evoked images of both the past and present.
One of Moore’s earlier stars, wingback Luke Swift, wore No. 1. Years later, so did Joey Siderewicz, who quarterbacked two teams that qualified for the state finals. The No. 30 jersey remains popular among Center Grove Bantam League players after Titus McCoy and Carson Steele straight-armed their way to yards, victories, conference and state titles while wearing it.
Meanwhile, the Hohlt family has seemingly monopolized the No. 14 since the Nixon administration. The oldest of the five brothers, Jackson, started the trend, followed by siblings Sam and now Eli, a junior receiver on the current squad. The other Hohlt boys, Trevor (No. 29 because of fellow 300-meter hurdler specialist Justin Veteto before him), and Ty (the No. 24 worn by their father Aaron during his days at Perry Meridian), were exceptions.
Other recent family traditions numerically include offensive linemen A.J. and Austin Wiese (77) and Drew and Austin Green (6). The No. 6 jersey was also a favorite of the four Dietl brothers with David, a senior wingback during the 2011 season, being the last to wear it.
“The kids grow up and see players before them that they really respect and want to be that number,” Moore said. “I try to (issue numbers) in the spring, and I think it motivates the players. Players who are brothers wearing the same jersey is what I think to be the coolest.
“It builds a lot of team unity and bonds generations.”
Many jersey numbers at Center Grove carry a story, a purpose. When it comes to recent 5s, the tales are varied:
Split end Devon Hensley (2013-14): “Personally, I wanted it. I had always worn the No. 5 in other sports. I grew up a huge St. Louis Cardinals fan and loved Albert Pujols. So, as every kid does, I wanted to be like him and chose his number. I still get called Five or Fiver to this day.”
Linebacker/defensive end Austin Daming (2016-17): “I had always been No. 5 growing up, playing football or racing go-karts at Whiteland Raceway Park. I think I might be one of the only defensive linemen to ever wear the number at Center Grove. Coach Moore was not happy when I requested to wear it my senior year playing defensive end.”
Receiver/kick returner Connor Delp (2018-20): “I have worn the No. 5 in football, basketball and baseball for as long as I can remember. As soon as AD left, I wanted to continue.”
With Delp now a freshman at Indiana University, No. 5 was up for grabs. Wheat lobbied for it and is the team’s leading ground gainer entering tonight’s homecoming clash with visiting Pike. His efforts no doubt add to his number’s legacy, much the way quarterback Tayven Jackson (No. 2), tight end Shane Bennett (47), defensive end Caden Curry (91) and others are right now with their chosen digits.
At Center Grove, football truly is a numbers game.
