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East Central in familiar territory

East Central RB Logan Storie (photo by Linda Lyness Maxwell)

The East Central Trojans find themselves in the IHSAA Class 4A Semi-state finals for a third straight year. Their opponent, the Greenwood Woodsmen are in uncharted waters. This is their first trip to the final four since 1990. The program has never advanced beyond this game. Home field advantage and experience are on the Trojans side but don’t count out a feisty Greenwood squad that is playing with house money at this point.

Here is a look at this Semi-State final:

GREENWOOD WOODSMEN (11-2) at EAST CENTRAL TROJANS (10-3)
Class 4A Semi-State final
Friday, November 17th, 7:30 p.m., Trojan Field

PLAYOFF HISTORY
Greenwood (42-42 overall)
Sectional Champions (5) – 2017, 2005, 1992, 1990, 1988
Regional Champions (3) – 2017, 1990, 1998
State Champions (0)
East Central (78-32 overall)
Sectional Champions (18) – 2017, 2016, 2015, 2010, 2009, 2005, 2003, 2002, 2000, 1998, 1996, 1994, 1993, 1992, 1989, 1987, 1985, 1980
Regional Champions (8) – 2017, 2016, 2015, 2003, 1998, 1994, 1993, 1985
Semi-State Champions (3) – 2015, 1994, 1993
State Champions (1) – 1994

THE COACHES
Greenwood: Mike Campbell (69-66 at Greenwood, 12th year; 69-66 overall, 12th year)
East Central: Justin Roden (45-20 at East Central, fifth year; 45-20 overall, fifth year)

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW
This is the first time since 2005 that Greenwood has won 10 or more games. They average 256.0 yards per game on the ground. The Woodmen have found the end zone 64 times (48 rushing) on offense. The backs are non-existent in passing game that averages 124.8 yards per contest. Greenwood is on a six game winning streak. In the first four of those wins they allowed 48 total points. The Woodmen have surrendered 59 points in their last two victories.

In his first 14 games as head coach at East Central the Trojans went 4-10 under Justin Roden. Since that point, East Central has gone 41-10 with 15 of those victories being in the playoffs. The East Central seniors have gone 13-2 in the postseason over the past three campaigns. The Trojans defense has recorded five shutouts in its last eight affairs and only given up 19 total points in the playoffs. The offense averaged just 13.0 points the first three weeks of ’17. They have turned it around, lighting up the scoreboard up at a rate of 39.9 points over the last 10 games.

East Central QB Alex Maxwell (photo by Linda Lyness Maxwell)


WHO YOU SHOULD KNOW
GREENWOOD
Tim Johns, Sr, LB – The 6-foot-3, 230 pound tackling machine and leader of the defense is committed to Army. He has 88 total tackles (50 solo) and two fumble recoveries.
Nick Young, Sr, DL – The anchor of the d-line, Young has 23.0 tackles for losses and 8.0 sacks.
Bryce Taylor, Jr, LB – It has been an outstanding season for Taylor who leads the Woodmen with 118 total tackles (70 solo).
Seth Gallman, Sr, QB – Has thrown for 1,623 yards, ran for 782 yards and accounted for 32 touchdowns (16 passing, 16 rushing).
Nick Willham, Jr, RB – Leads Greenwood with 1,071 yards rushing and has 14 touchdowns on the ground.
Brandon Rosado, Sr, RB – Part of the three-headed monster out of the backfield Rosado, has run for 950 yards and 11 scores.
Conner Battinau, Sr, WR – The team’s top receiver with 39 catches for 555 yards and eight touchdowns.

EAST CENTRAL
Logan Storie, Sr, RB – It has been a storied career (pun intended) for this senior. Storie paces the Trojans with 1,758 rushing, 2,180 all-purpose yards and 20 touchdowns (19 rushing). He is 168 yards shy of 4,000 rushing at the varsity level.
Alex Maxwell, Jr, QB – Played through a broken wrist this season and now looks to be at the top of his game. He has run for 876 yards, thrown for 595 yards and accounted for 22 touchdowns (18 rushing, four passing).
Caden Browndyke, Jr, K – Has 70 total points including connection on 8-9 field goal attempts. His father David, holds numerous kicking records at LSU.
Logan “Buzz” Moser, Sr, OLB – Has been a one-man wrecking with 60 total tackles, 12.0 tackles for losses and three takeaways (one interception, two fumble recoveries).
Tanner Yocum, Sr, OLB – Mr. Reliable, Yocum will lead East Central in tackles for a second consecutive year.
Keegan Gindling, Sr, DT – The man you want in the trenches with you. Gindling is tops on the team with 4.0 sacks and also has 8.5 tackles for a loss.
Devon Donawerth, So, DB – The youngster has burst on to the scene with five takeaways (three interceptions, two fumble recoveries) in his first year as a letter winner. He is also the Trojans top kickoff and punt returner.

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