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Preview: New Prairie vs. East Central

East Central RB Josh Ringer (photo by Sandy Mahoney/Twitter: @InMotionBySandy

Champions are remembered forever. Friday’s Class 4A state championship between New Prairie and East Central will end with one team’s dreams becoming reality. The Trojans and Cougars both plan to leave it all on the field in an attempt to make history that will never be forgotten. A champion will be crowned Friday evening and who that champion will be is a question many will want to have answered.

 

New Prairie (13-1) vs. East Central (12-2)

Kickoff: 3:00 p.m.; November 25th

Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, IN

Follow on Twitter @TSFootball

 

PLAYERS TO WATCH: Things start with New Prairie running back Noah Mungia. The senior has had a huge season in rushing for 1,868 yards and 21 touchdowns across 247 attempts. Mungia has nine games of over 100 yards rushing and is always a threat to bust a long one. Quarterback Marshall Kmiecik has been a threat in every game with his arm and his legs. The junior has passed for 1,198 yards and 16 TD. On the ground, Kmiecik has rushed 159 times for 1,331 yards and 14 scores.

East Central features a ton of talent as well. Running back Josh Ringer has been a constant as he has run for 2,197 yards and 35 touchdowns. He is also a threat in the passing game. His classmate Ryan Brotherton has been a great dual threat for the Trojans. Brotherton has 32 receptions for 841 and 11 touchdowns and 596 yards rushing with another three scores.

Senior Eli Aston has caught 43 balls for 612 yards and seven touchdowns. Keeping it all together is quarterback Cole Burton who has thrown for 1,744 yards and 22 scores while also finding the end zone six times in the running game.

 

TEAM TRENDS: New Prairie is searching for their first state championship in school history. This is the second time that they have reached the title game (2014) and they look to push through this season. The Cougars average 7.1 yards per rush as a run heavy offense. Defensively NP has forced 29 turnovers (22 INTS). Sophomore Dylan Wilson leads the team with six sacks.

 

East Central captured the school’s ninth regional title with last week’s win over Roncalli. They are hunting for the schools third state title and their second in the last five years. The Trojans are a scoring machine as they are averaging 38.5 points per game and have eclipsed the 40-point mark eight times in 14 games.

 

HEAD COACHES:

New Prairie: Casey McKim (29-9 at New Prairie, three years; 29-9 overall)

East Central: Jake Meiners (41-9 at East Central, three years; 41-9 overall)

 

PLAYOFF HISTORY:

New Prairie (34-17 overall)

 

East Central (89-36 overall)
Sectional Champions (20) – 2020, 2018, 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
State Champions (2) – 2017, 1994

 

NEW PRAIRIE’S KEYS TO VICTORY: Dominate the line of scrimmage. The Cougars need a successful running game to keep the Trojans offense off of the field. They’ll need to do work up front to get their athletes to the second level and consistently and efficiently move the ball. If they can control the tempo and keep time of possession in their favor, they will be in line for a history making win.

 

EAST CENTRAL’S KEYS TO VICTORY: Stop the run.  New Prairie has done a ton of damage on the ground and are at their absolute best when running the ball. The Trojans should make Kmiecik beat them with his arm by selling out to stop the run. If they can hold the fort against the rushing attack, they should rule things in Class 4A.

 

Prediction: East Central 35, New Prairie 24

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