McWilliams finally getting his turn as Trojans’ starting quarterback

It isn’t like Gabe McWilliams didn’t have options.

In an era when players sometimes elect to trade years of loyalty for the possibility of significant playing time at another school, Center Grove’s 6-foot-6, 215-pound senior quarterback remained where his cleats have always been.

McWilliams, a second-stringer the past two seasons behind current Indiana University freshman signal-caller Tyler Cherry, wanted his chance. But as a Trojan. And only a Trojan.

“I just feel like playing at Center Grove is so important with the coaches we have, my teammates and the bond we’ve had since first grade,” said McWilliams, who leads the Trojans into tonight’s game at Louisville Trinity.

“It was tough, just waiting for your time. But it’s worth it.”

Through two games — one and a half, really, after the final two quarters of last week’s home game against Fort Wayne Carroll were canceled due to strong storms — McWilliams has made good on 28 of his 42 pass attempts for 408 yards, four touchdowns and one interception.

Compare that to his sophomore and junior seasons, where McWilliams totaled 14 pass attempts and 73 yards while seeing the field in late-game situations only.

Center Grove’s customary daunting schedule will continue to challenge McWilliams and his teammates in the weeks ahead. To this point, no one questions the hours of work he’s poured into preparing for his one season behind center.

Watching how a perfectionist like Cherry handled his business during practices and games certainly made for a nice template.

“Tyler was always very sharp in practice. He treated practices like games, just always being 100%,” McWilliams said. “It was kind of fun to learn mental reps behind him.”

McWilliams’ career path is extremely reminiscent to that of former CG quarterback Jack Kellams, who shined in his lone season as a starter (2016) after succeeding two-year starter and current Trojans assistant coach Joey Siderewicz.

Kellams, who stood 6-3 and 210 pounds, accounted for seven pass attempts his sophomore and junior seasons combined and then broke loose for 1,151 yards and 14 touchdown passes as a senior in helping guide the Trojans to 6A state runner-up status.

McWilliams, who hails from a family of accomplished athletes, would like a lengthy postseason run of his own.

His father, Darrel, was the starting tight end for Ben Davis’ 5A state championship teams in 1987 and 1988 (Gabe wears his old man’s No. 7). The former Abbie Dawson was a member of the Capital University women’s basketball team that won NCAA Division II national titles in 1994 and 1995.

To Gabe McWilliams, however, this is home.

His time on the gridiron began in the Center Grove Bantam League. Thus, it was important for him to see that through, as opposed to transferring in order to pile up the kind of numbers capable of attracting college scouts.

As the starting QB for one of Indiana’s blue-blood programs, he’s doing that anyway. McWilliams plans to graduate in December, a move that will allow him to enroll early at whatever college or university he plays for at the next level.

Trojans coach Eric Moore is confident McWilliams will have the same positive impact there that he has had at Center Grove.

“The kid has great character. He grew up in the Center Grove program, and he wanted to be a starter in our program,” Moore said. “If it’s one year, it’s one year. I told college scouts (McWilliams) has got to get film. It’s one thing to throw into trash cans and 7-on-7s and things like that. Gabe is a gentleman, he’s hungry and he’s smart, obviously (3.48 grade-point average). The kids respect him because he respects them.”

TONIGHT’S GAMES

Center Grove at Louisville Trinity, 7 p.m.

Perry Meridian at Franklin, 7 p.m.

Martinsville at Greenwood, 7 p.m.

Whiteland at Decatur Central, 7 p.m.

Indian Creek at Owen Valley, 7 p.m.

South Decatur at Edinburgh, 7 p.m.

Wes-Del at Greenwood Christian, 7 p.m.*

Bishop Chatard at Roncalli, 7 p.m.

* – at Beech Grove MS