Center Grove football: Season preview

Never has a catchy nickname been attached to Center Grove’s longstanding reputation for developing all-state defensive linemen.

No End Zone. No Trojan Horses. Not even a measly Southside Sack Exchange.

However, opposing teams are well aware, which means for no less than the next 10 Friday nights they’ll attempt to constantly track the whereabouts of senior Ryder Woolwine.

Already credited with taking part in 27 games in his varsity career, the 6-foot-2, 235-pound Woolwine, a defensive end both seasons, has rung up a total of 97 tackles — 13 taking place behind the line of scrimmage.

This season, he’ll line up inside.

“He might play some end, but we’ve got about six ends. Some juniors who are trying to get some playing time, and that’s where they’re going to get it,” Trojans coach Eric Moore said. “Ryder has a great motor, work ethic and is tough. And he’s smart, too.

“In doing his job, he’ll make other people successful. If he can’t perform well, then we’re going to struggle.”

Center Grove graduated six of its top 11 tacklers from last season, when its run of three consecutive Class 6A state championships was halted by a 37-34 overtime loss at Ben Davis in the semistate round.

Unfortunately, junior defensive tackle Kobe Cherry, the team’s leading returning tackler with 70 stops last season, is out for the season after sustaining a knee injury during baseball season.

Besides Woolwine, senior defensive backs Ben Tapak (37 tackles) and Luke Barrett (34) are seasoned veterans, as is junior end Lincoln Bright (45).

Knowing the importance of his productivity starting with Friday night’s opener at home against Westfield, the steps Woolwine took to prepare for this season have been varied.

“Just staying in the gym lifting weights six or seven days a week, and eating the right foods,” he said. “(Center Grove strength and conditioning coach Marty) Mills wanted all the football players to concentrate on our explosiveness doing weighted jumps and box squats.

“It was a little different at first, but I really like it now. I feel a lot quicker and a lot more agile. I think it’s helped me a lot.”

Woolwine now boasts a vertical leap of nearly 31 inches, approximately four inches higher than at this time last season.

The senior’s position change presents a unique challenge to him, which he readily accepts as long as the Trojans’ defense is able to get the opponent’s offense off the field.

“I didn’t think I would like it at first, but it’s what the team needs,” Woolwine said. “You get more double teams, and you have less space to work with.”

On July 31, Woolwine verbally committed to play football at Indiana State University. Owner of a 3.45 grade-point average, he plans to major in business. Woolwine also received offers from Eastern Michigan, Dayton and the University of Indianapolis.

“I went to a barbecue at Indiana State a few weeks ago, and everyone was so welcoming,” Woolwine said. “It just felt like the right place for me.”

Football programs often promote themselves as a brotherhood due to the sport’s physical demands — early morning practices, shared time in the weight room and more.

Yet in the case of Woolwine, an only child, it’s genuine.

“Not having any siblings, I look at my teammates as my brothers,” he said. “It’s just a different bond.”

SCOUTING THE TROJANS

Coach: Eric Moore

Last season: 11-2 record, lost at Ben Davis, 37-34, in overtime in Class 6A semistate.

Who’s back?: DE Auggy Argbah, DB Luke Barrett, WR Tristan Baxter, LB Jack Browning, OL Landon Endicott, OL Caden Grant, RB Austin Hennessy, WR Brevin Holubar, DB Dallas Johnson, QB Gabe McWilliams, DB James Soderdahl, DB Ben Tapak, LB T.J. Williams and DL Ryder Woolwine, seniors; TE Dominick Barry, LB Lincoln Bright, LB Franky Hayse, OL C.J. Scifres and OL Brady Weber, juniors; WR Drake McClurg, sophomore

New faces to watch: OL Joey Blanchard, DL Dane Crump, SL Brady Dicken, DL Gabe Lucas, DB Tyrece Neely, OL Cameron Peters, DT Donte Robinson Jr., DB Daxon Sauer, DB Finn Sauer, OL Tyler Schornick, LB Caden Snapp and OL Lucas Spitler, seniors; DB Eli DeJong, SE Aiden Francis, OL Ryan Gagen, RB Nathan Goins, DB Vinny Hayse, DL Levi Jones, OL T.J. Knight, OL Lincoln Madden, TE Charlie Mandabach, DB Cooper Pio, RB Braylon Piggee, DB Manning Poston, RB Nolan Rees, DL Jeremy Stanley, WR Cade Timmons, LB Drew Toschlog and LB Blayse Whitis, juniors; WR Charlie Annee, DB Jackson Burnett, K Dallas Compropst, OL Parker Hutchins, TE Mason Morrow, LB Trew Paxson, WR Andrew Sampaio, TE Aaron Smith, RB Brodie Tilton, RB Hudson Winkler and DB Nathan Yoder, sophomores

What to expect: It all starts up front for the Trojans, who will lean on a deep and talented offensive line — at least initially — in their annual quest to again go deep into the Class 6A postseason. McWilliams is a first-time starter at quarterback, yet the weapons around him are unmistakable, beginning on the line where Scifres and Weber return after starting as sophomores. A turnstile of offensive linemen remain in contention for starting spots, Hennessy gained valuable experience at running back, and Baxter and Barry could form one of the more explosive receiving duos in central Indiana.

Former tight ends Williams and Browning are now linebackers, learning the position in an effort to bolster what the Trojans do defensively. Former end Woolwine will now line up inside, while Barrett, Tapak and Johnson are key players in the secondary.

Moore feels his team’s ability to remain healthy will determine what kind of overall product he’s leading come the postseason. Should the Trojans steer clear of significant injuries, he feels yet another deep run is possible, if not likely.

2024 SCHEDULE

Date;Opponent;Time

Aug. 23;Westfield;7 p.m.

Aug. 30;Fort Wayne Carroll;7:30 p.m.

Sept. 6;at Louisville Trinity;7 p.m.

Sept. 13;at Ben Davis,7 p.m.

Sept. 20;Trotwood-Madison (Ohio);7 p.m.

Sept. 27;Lawrence Central;7 p.m.

Oct. 4;at Cathedral;7 p.m.

Oct. 11;at Lawrence North;7 p.m.

Oct. 18;St. Frances (Maryland);7 p.m.