Eli Hohlt of Center Grove runs the ball during Fridayճ sectional game at Franklin Central. CHRIS WILLIAMS | FOR THE DAILY JOURNAL
INDIANAPOLIS
A two-week breather did nothing to even remotely threaten the longest win streak in Center Grove football history.
The state’s top-ranked squad in Class 6A thoroughly dominated host Franklin Central, 35-7, on Friday in a first-round sectional matchup, the Trojans’ 24th consecutive victory dating back to Week 1 of the 2020 season.
Next for the Trojans is hosting Columbus North in the sectional final. Center Grove squads have won eight straight against the Bull Dogs by a combined score of 313-80 and seek an 11th straight sectional crown.
Against the Flashes, the Trojans scored 28 points in the second quarter, jumping to a 35-0 lead and securing a running clock for the final two periods.
“We came out and we looked like at the beginning that we had two weeks off, and I don’t know how to deal with that. We’ve got to get better at that,” Center Grove coach Eric Moore said. “But I thought our kids on defense did a great job, and our offense came together and threw the ball around.
“We played the game in bad conditions again and showed that we can make things happen.”
The Trojans started doing just that once Mitchell Evans dazzled with a 93-yard punt return at 6:18 of the first quarter. After making the catch, the senior found daylight at his own 15, turned on the afterburners and raced down the sideline in front of his teammates on the visitors’ sideline.
The Center Grove offense marched 86 yards on its next possession.
Quarterback Tayven Jackson, who was 8 of 9 passing for 133 yards prior to halftime, found an all-by-his-lonesome Zach Greller from 5 yards out early in the second. Center Grove’s final three touchdowns of the half were on Daniel Weems’ 2-yard run, Jackson’s 51-yard strike to Brandon Wheat and junior speedster Drew Wheat’s 9-yard run around the left end and into the end zone.
Center Grove played second- and third-teamers in the second half on both offense and defense, the latter giving up the Flashes’ lone points of the night – an 85-yard sprint to the end zone by senior back Aataevon Jordan with 8:05 remaining in the fourth. The Trojans, meanwhile, finished with nine different players getting at least one run, led by Drew Wheat’s 66 yards rushing.
Jackson, who has played a key role in numerous running-clock games in his prep career, understands their value.
“I think it’s important so that our main guys don’t get hurt,” Jackson said. “Obviously, us as players, we don’t want to leave the game, but it’s important to keep all of us healthy and just go on from there.”
Center Grove has now won four straight against the Flashes (4-6) since 2017, outscoring them 142-30. Franklin Central is coached by former Lawrence Central and Warren Central coach Jayson West, who started his career as an assistant for Moore.
Despite his program’s recent dominance against Columbus North, Moore anticipates the Bull Dogs’ best.
“They’re going to be fierce competitors,” he said. “They’re going to be very physical and strong, and they’re going to want to beat us bad, and that’s the way it is for the next four weeks. If you can win, everybody wants you.”
