2024 Snapshot: East Central

Last season will go down as perhaps the greatest in the history of East Central football. The Trojans went undefeated and won their second consecutive IHSAA Class 4A state title, blowing out just about everyone along the way. Getting back to the promise land won’t be easy with the loss of a ton of experienced players to graduation, a move up to Class 5A and a big bullseye on their backs as all their opponents will be hoping to be the one to end East Central’s current 21-game winning streak.

“We are excited for the challenge of moving up a division. We talk, all the time, that our standards do not change. Our next group is preparing the right way, to give themselves an opportunity to go out and compete,” head coach Jake Meiners states.

Meiners team may lack in playing meaningful snaps on Friday nights but he is confident these young Trojans will rise to the occasion. “We will have to grow up quickly with our demanding schedule. The good news is we have guys who have been waiting for their opportunity and are ready to make their mark on our program.”

East Central will be strong in the trenches on both sides of the ball. “We have a lot of quality depth at our offensive and defensive line positions. We will rely on them heavily, especially at the start of the season. These groups have size, strength, and experience. They are some of the most competitive positions we have,” Meiners states.

The bar has been set to the highest level at East Central. Maintaining that success is never easy but you can bank on Meiners Trojans giving it their all not to fall from the apex. They won’t beat themselves. Hats off to anyone that comes up victorious versus the boys from St. Leon, they will have earned it.

Class 5A, Sectional 14
2023 RECORD: 15-0, 3-0 EIAC Legends, IHSAA Class 4A State Champions
COACH: Jake Meiners (57-9 at East Central, five years; 57-9 overall)

HONOR ROLL
Carson Pieczonka, Sr, DB – One of the leaders of the defense and a three-year starter who has a nose for the football. An All-EIAC Legends (DB) selection as a junior, Pieczonka has 102 total tackles, one-and-a-half sacks, five-and-a-half sacks, 15 pass breakups (13 in 2023) and seven interceptions (five in 2023) in his career.

Nathan McFee, Sr, K – A special team’s weapon, McFee is coming off an All-EIAC Legends performance as a junior. He has connected on 148/161 extra point attempts and 5/9 field goal tries for 163 points in his career.

East Central K Nathan McFee (photo by: Sandy Mahoney / X: @InMotionBySandy)

OTHER RETURNEES
Alex Kuhn, Sr, LB – A real ballhawk, Kuhn led the team with five-and-a-half sacks in 2023. He also had 43 total tackles and three pass breakups.

East Central LB Alex Kuhn (photo by: Sandy Mahoney / X: @InMotionBySandy)

Wyatt Smith, Sr, OL – An anchor up front who helped pave the way for the Trojans offense to average 395.2 yards of total offense per game in 2023.

Cole Sebastian, Sr, LB – Opportunistic would be the best way to describe Sebastian. He scored two of the Trojans six defensive touchdowns in 2023, both on fumble recoveries. Sebastian tallied 62 total tackles, seven tackles for losses with a forced fumble and the two fumble recoveries as a junior.

Brayden Becknell, Sr, DL – A big reason why the Trojans defense was able to get off the field time-after-time and allow just 6.5 points per game last season. Becknell finished his junior campaign with 46 total tackles, four sacks, six tackles for losses and a fumble recovery.

Brendin Kolter, Sr, DL – Like Pieczonka, Kolter is a leader of the defense. He registered, 44 total tackles, three-and-a-half sacks and seven-and-a-half tackles for losses a year ago.

East Central DL Brendin Kolter (photo by: Sandy Mahoney / X: @InMotionBySandy)

Remus Reatherford, Sr, DL – The Trojans will welcome Reatherford’s presence up front after he played in just four games as a junior.

Gavin Berting, Sr, DB – Injuries cut Berting’s junior season short. He still managed to get it on nine total tackles with two pass breakups and an interception.

Gavin Osterman, Sr, OL – The biggest of the returning offensive linemen at 6-foot-3 and 305-pounds. Osterman opened up holes that led to 91 offensive touchdowns (69 rush, 22 pass) a year ago.

Eli Sehlhorst, Jr, WR – A versatile player who could fill the role vacated by Ryan Brotherton (now at Western Michigan).

East Central OL Noah Brown (photo by Sandy Mahoney/ X: @In MotionBySandy)

Noah Brown, So, OL – A fundamentally sound lineman who started from day one as a freshman. Brown got quite the workout hoisting running backs and receivers in the end zone each week on and offense that scored at a rate of 45.7 points per game in 2023.

Freshmen of Influence: Class of 2027

Ryan Minges, So, RB – Has big shoes to fill, replacing 2023 Indiana Mr. Football, Josh Ringer. Minges showed signs he was going to have no problem becoming the focal point of the Trojans offense after running for 411 yards and four touchdowns as a freshman.

East Central RB Ryan Minges (photo by Sandy Mahoney/X: @InMotionBy Sandy)

NEWCOMERS
With so many positions open due to graduation, seniors DL Isaac Williams, TE Anthony Darpel as well as juniors WR Ethan Feldkamp, QB Nolan Maple, TE Blake Wubeler, LB Jake Lutz, DB Nyden Euson, DB Karson Dorsey and LB Jake Beare will be battling for starting roles. Beare is a transfer from Lawrenceburg.

PLAYOFF HISTORY
(101-36 overall)
Sectional Champions (22) – 2023, 2022, 2020, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2010, 2009, 2005, 2003, 2002, 2000, 1998, 1996, 1994, 1993, 1992, 1989, 1987, 1985, 1980
Regional Champions (10) – 2023, 2022, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2003, 1998, 1994, 1993, 1985
State Champions (4) – 2023, 2022, 2017, 1994

2024 SCHEDULE
Fri – 08/23/23 – LAWRENCEBURG (15-0 in 2023) – 7:30 PM
Fri – 08/30/23 – at Harrison (OH)(9-4) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 09/06/23 – at Moeller (OH)(10-5) – 7:00 PM at Mount St. Joseph Univ.
Fri – 09/13/23 – FRANKLIN COUNTY (4-7) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 09/20/23 – BATESVILLE (11-2) – 7:30 PM
Fri – 09/27/23 – at South Dearborn (5-5) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 10/04/23 – at Greensburg (0-10) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 10/11/23 – at Connersville (2-8) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 10/18/23 – RONCALLI (4-7) – 7:30 PM
Fri – 10/25/23 – TBD: IHSAA Sectional 14 Playoffs

RACKING UP THE VICTORIES
Eleven times in the last 14 years East Central has won 10 games or more. The Trojans have 11-plus wins in seven of their last nine seasons. They are a combined 103-20 (.837 winning %), in that span.

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