2023 Snapshot: East Central

The reigning IHSAA Class 4A State Champion, East Central returns a cast that is mor than capable of repeating the feat. It won’t be easy. The Trojans will have bullseyes on their backs as school’s like Roncalli, New Prairie, Evansville Memorial and Mooresville are chomping at the bit to avenge a 2022 playoff loss to the Kings of St. Leon and steal their crown.

“On defense, our strength is our experienced linebackers. We will be able to play stout defense and be very fundamentally sound,” states head coach Jake Meiners. East Central allowed just 10.3 points per game and held 10 opponents to seven points or fewer with four shutouts a year ago.

Meiners goes on, “our strength on offense is our returning skills position players. We will be able to give teams a variety of looks. We also return two outstanding offensive linemen. We will be young experience wise at defensive line and offensive line. The good news is that we have really good players who have been waiting for their opportunity to play.”

The Trojans were an offensive juggernaut in 2022. They averaged 37.6 points per game, scored 35 points or more 12 times in 15 contests, amassed 5,861 yards of total offense (3,849 rush, 2,012 pass) and averaged 390.7 yards per game of total offense. This unit has the potential to be even more explosive than that. The East Central offense is going to give opponents fits.

Speaking of foes, Meiners understands what it takes to get ready for another long run in November. “We are continuing to play a tough regular season schedule to prepare ourselves come playoff time. It will be another exciting season at East Central. We can’t wait to keep improving our historic program.”

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

Class 4A, District 23
2022 RECORD: 13-2, 3-0 Class 4A, Sectional 23, IHSAA Class 4A State Champions
COACH: Jake Meiners (42-9 at East Central, four years; 42-9 overall)

HONOR ROLL
Josh Ringer, Sr, RB – After an injury-riddled sophomore season Ringer responded with one of the all-time great years in East Central history. He ran for 2,368 yards, averaged 9.2 yards per carry, had 18 receptions for 320 yards, amassed 2,752 all-purpose yards, found the end zone 42 times (39 rush, a single season school record, three rec) with a single season school record of 252 points scored, eclipsing the former mark by 54 points. Ringer ran for 100 yards or more 13 times with nine games of 140-plus yards rushing, had six games of 200-plus all-purpose yards and career highs of 338 yards and six touchdowns (single game school record) on the ground against South Dearborn. Those efforts earned him IFCA Class 4A Jr. All-State (RB), TriState Football Indiana Offensive Player of the Year and First Team All-TSF (ATH) as a junior. The Miami (OH) commit, heads into his senior year with 3,760 yards rushing, 4,350 all-purpose yards, 29 receptions, 496 yards receiving, three touchdown catches and 55 rushing touchdowns.

Noah Schneider, Sr, OL – The anchor of the Trojans of-line. The 6-foot-6, 290-pound Schneider was named to the IFCA Class 4A Jr. All-State Team (OL) as a junior.

East Central OL Noah Schneider (photo by: Sandy Mahoney/from Twitter: @InMotionBySandy)

Ryan Brotherton, Sr, RB/WR/RS – An absolute game-changer with the ball in his hands. Brotherton racked ups 1,733 all-purpose yards (859 rec, 698 rush, 216 ret), averaged 24.5 yards on 35 receptions and found the end zone 15 times (11 rec, three rush, one KR) as a junior. He was named 4A Jr. All-State (ATH) for his efforts. 6-foot-4, 195-pound Western Michigan commit has 2,901 all-purpose yards (1,317 rush, 1,311 rec, 273 ret), 58 receptions and 28 touchdowns (17 rec, 11 rush, one KR) in a Trojans uniform.

Cole Burton, Sr, QB – Does a great job of taking what the defenses give him. Burton threw for 1,749 yards, accounted for 28 touchdowns (22 pass, six rush) and set the school record with five touchdown passes in a game versus Harrison, in 2022. He was named Class 4A All-EIAC for a second straight year for his work. Burton has thrown for 3,543 yards, ran for 266 yards with 41 passing and 12 rushing touchdowns in his career.

East Central QB Cole Burton (photo by: Sandy Mahoney / Twitter: @InMotionBySandy)

Brayden Rouse, Sr, LB – Stepped up and took his game to a whole new level as a junior being named the EIAC Class 4A Defensive MVP. Rouse tallied 83 total tackles, had four-and-a-half sacks, eight tackles for losses and one fumble recovery.

OTHER RETURNEES
Dylan Maxwell, Sr, LB – Had a breakout campaign in 2022. Maxwell was in on 80 total tackles, four sacks and 10.0 tackles for losses. He will be a key piece of the defense.

East Central LB Dylan Maxwell (photo by: Sandy Mahoney/from Twitter: @InMotionBySandy)

Connor Kuhn, Sr, LB – Back for a third season as a starter. Kuhn has been a model of consistency with 115 total tackles, four sacks, nine tackles for losses, two interceptions and one pick-six in his career.

Eli Ertel, Sr, DL – The Ertel clan continues to produce outstanding Trojan linemen and Eli is the latest in the bunch. Ertel recorded 33 total tackles, with three-and-a-half sacks and six tackles for losses as a junior.

Nathan McFee, Jr, K – Will be a special teams factor this fall. McFee connected on 61/70 extra points and 3/5 field goal attempts for 70 kicking points as a sophomore.

RJ Seig, Sr, OL – One of two returning starters on the offensive line. The underclassmen will look to Seig for guidance.

NEWCOMERS
There are a ton of seniors that have waited for their time to become starters, DB Chase Bellman, DB Jace Dorsey, DB Moses Wheat, DB Aiden Feldkamp, LB AJ Garrison, DL Collin Engle, WR Robbie Bleh, TE Jentzen Carter as well juniors Alex Kuhn and OL Wyatt Smith get their shots to shine on Friday nights. Garrison had three sacks in 2022. Wheat has all-conference talent and should explode onto the scene this fall.

East Central LB Brayden Rouse (photo by: Sandy Mahoney/Twitter: @InMotionBy Sandy)

PLAYOFF HISTORY
(95-36 overall)
Sectional Champions (21) – 2022, 2020, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2010, 2009, 2005, 2003, 2002, 2000, 1998, 1996, 1994, 1993, 1992, 1989, 1987, 1985, 1980
Regional Champions (9) – 2022, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2003, 1998, 1994, 1993, 1985
State Champions (3) – 2022, 2017, 1994

2023 SCHEDULE
Fri – 08/18/23 – at Lawrenceburg (13-2 in 2022) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 08/25/23 – HARRISON (1-9) – 7:30 PM
Fri – 09/01/23 – MOELLER (13-2) – 7:30 PM
Fri – 09/08/23 – at FRANKLIN COUNTY (4-7) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 09/15/23 – at Batesville (6-6) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 09/22/23 – SOUTH DEARBORN (7-3) – 7:30 PM
Fri – 09/29/23 – CONNERSVILLE (7-5) – 7:30 PM
Fri – 10/06/23 – GREENSBURG (3-7) – 7:30 PM
Fri – 10/13/23 – at Roncalli (12-2) – 7:30 PM
Fri – 10/20/23 – TBD: IHSAA Sectional 23 Playoffs

RACKING UP THE VICTORIES
Ten times in the last 13 years East Central has won 10 games or more. The Trojans have 11-plus wins in six of their last eight seasons. They are a combined 88-20 (.815 winning %), in that span.

2023 Active Leaders: Southeastern Indiana

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